DUKH SUKH (PAIN AND PLEASURE)
Q and A discussion
Recently a good soul, a humble God-fearing lady wrote to me as follows:
Question
We try to follow the instructions given in SGGS (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) but what makes us say and do wrong things – is it our ego or our innocence?
Response
No not innocence. We are definitely not innocent. It is duality, egoism as you observed correctly. Our free will leads us astray.
When we operate under our free-will, Waheguru gives us the rope to wander freely in duality. He doesn’t interfere. It’s only when we totally submit to His Will that He takes us on board and guides us. But this does not mean there will be no more sufferings and setbacks as we are still accountable for our past actions/transgressions. However, since we are now attuned to the Will of Akal Purkh, the fruits of our past transgressions can be considerably mitigated (reduced).
Submitting to His Will is of course not easy. It requires total shedding of egoistic pursuits and designs. We do retain an element of self-awareness (distinguish this from egoism/self-promotion) to uphold our self-esteem.
Once we opt out of duality (dubida – impact of Maya) our whole perspective on life changes. Pain and joy are equally acceptable i.e. we become neutral to both (jay dukh dey ta tujheh aradhi dukh bhi tujhai dhiaa.een – SGGS 747). You are now well on your way to sant-avastha (saintly disposition).
Question
So at what period in our spiritual journey do we submit ourselves to the will of God?
When we are defeated and cannot understand any further or when we have understood and accepted?
Response
These are good questions.
Adversity can give you a wake up call. But, I have actually come across people, down-and-out on their luck, cursing God. However, some do respond to adversity with good faith but only for the sankat (crisis) to pass and then revert to old ways. There must not be a motive in samarpan (submission). The submission must be totally unconditional.
I first took Amrit (initiation into the Khalsa Order) in 1963 but I knew there was a reward awaiting me in the form of my life partner. I was unable to sustain it (requisite discipline that goes with Amrit). But the reward was well worth it. Waheguru is great. Later, after thousand transgressions, I had to take Amrit again. However, Amrit initiation is only the beginning of one’s spiritual journey.
Submission to Guru Ji (and, therefore, Waheguru’s Will) must be unconditional – no swarath. Otherwise the relationship will be of a temporary nature. A quote from SGGS will help us here:
ਆਵੈਗੀ ਨੀਦ ਕਹਾ ਲਗੁ ਸੋਵਉ ॥ (1293)
avaigi neend kahan lag sauvou. (SGGS 1293)
How long shall I remain in slumber?
So when do we wake up? Only Waheguru knows. Only by His Grace through the blessings of SGGS we will wake up. Not before, not later. We must NOT do this consciously, it will happen in due course, spontaneously.
All we must do is to rein in the vicars (the five negative traits), the most difficult being ego. But before we defeat egoism we have to overcome the other four. Most of us can’t conquer even one and carry on in our sweet slumber, in the grip of duality.
Question
It seems to me the maya we are constantly surrounded with and we deeply desire has a special place in society. A person earning big money has status is considered “successful” whilst the poor honest hardworking guy is dismissed as a “nobody”
Why is the importance given to the wrong thing in society?
Response
You have raised several questions. We will take one point at a time:
(a) Maya is akin to a swamp. We are surrounded by it, mesmerised by it and haunted by it. We sometimes feel lost and bewildered, and wander aimlessly in life. There is a danger that sooner or later, we will sink deeper into this bog of maya. Just as a jeev (human or animal) is swallowed up by the swamp, a human being without the armour of God’s Name will die spiritually; only the awakened (spiritually aware) will re-emerge from the swamp, as does the lotus. So we must endevour to stand firm in the swamp of maya like the lotus, unsoiled, unaffected by the mire and filth surrounding it. This can only be done with the guidance of SGGS:
ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਬੈਠਤ ਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥ ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਘਾਲਹਿ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥ (276)
(b) ka.ee kot baiṯẖaṯ hee kẖaahey. ka.ee kot gẖaaleh thak paahey. (SGGS 276).
Many millions eat and live in comfort whilst millions are consumed in exhaustive labour.
(c) World status means nothing in His Darbar (The Court of Truth and Righteousness). Please also refer to Pauri 7 of Japji Sahib:
ਜੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਤ ਵਾਤ ਨ ਪੁਛੈ ਕੇ ॥ (2)
jay tis nadar na aavee ta vaat na puchhai kay. (SGGS 2)
All this will not earn him Lord’s Grace. In His Court no one will give a toss for his worldly accolades and reputation.
ਕੀਟਾ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕੀਟੁ ਕਰਿ ਦੋਸੀ ਦੋਸੁ ਧਰੇ ॥ (2)
keetaa andar keet kar dosee dos Dharay.
Amongst the worms he will be considered a parasite and amongst sinners a lowly, contemptuous sinner.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿ ਗੁਣੁ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਣਵੰਤਿਆ ਗੁਣੁ ਦੇ ॥ (2)
naanak nirgun gun karay gunvanti-aa gun day.
O Nanak the Lord bestows virtue on the unworthy and exalts the virtuous.
And in Pauri 34 (Japji Sahib) Guru Nanak clarifies:
ਕਰਮੀ ਕਰਮੀ ਹੋਇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਆਪਿ ਸਚਾ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥ (7)
karmee karmee ho.e veecẖaar. sacẖaa aap sacẖaa ḏarbaar.
Each being is adjudged in His Court of Truth and Justice according to that being’s actions.
ਤਿਥੈ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਪੰਚ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਵੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ (7)
tithai sohan pancẖ parvaaṇ. naḏree karam pavai neesaaṇ.
And those who acquit themselves with merit and honour receive the glance of approval and are bestowed a seat in His court (Darbar). The insignia (symbol) of Akal Purkh’s grace radiates on their faces.
ਕਚ ਪਕਾਈ ਓਥੈ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗਇਆ ਜਾਪੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ (7)
kacẖ pakaa.ee othai paa.e naanak ga.i.aa jaapai jaa.e.
The earthly titles and status have no relevance in His Court. The individual’s qualities are tested here based on the criteria as laid down by the Darbar of Truth and Justice.
Today evil is dressed up in the garb of respectability. We are easily deceived. That is why the poor hard working person suffers. This is the test in the world of Maya we have to undergo. Our imthiaan (exam). But we must persevere. Setbacks are often blessings in disguise. The Lord may have better things in store for us. We must stay in charrdi kala (optimistic/positive thinking) and put our trust in the powers beyond.
(d) Yes our children are under pressure; that’s why we the parents must support and guide them.
Humility does not mean not working and fighting for our rights. We are sant-sipahi (Saint and soldier) – the concept of Miri Piri is important. It teaches us not to run after glamour but enjoy and share our prosperity with others. The glamour lies in helping others and earning their gratitude and blessings. The prabhav of kalyug (dominance of negativity and self-promotion in people) is so great that we have got our values upside down. We must all endeavour to change them.
Desires are a dominant part of our life. We all have desires. But when they are not fulfilled, sensible people will question their own ability; some will curse their luck, whilst others will curse God. The God-oriented person accepts His Will with good grace (tera kiya meetha laagey) but at the same time does a self-appraisal and tries to learn from the experience.
Our constant reference and allegiance to SGGS will pay dividends. The subconscious mind and our vivek buddhi (discerning intellect) need to work hand-in-hand. When an event occurs in our life, the wisdom stored in the subconscious mind comes to the fore. Our discerning intellect will anlayse the situation and will take the appropriate action/decision.
‘arshi’ 9 August 2016