Michelle Casto is my angel today for reminding me, in these very beautiful words, that when you let go your ego, you become free.
There is only one way to treat ego,
with all your might, let it go!
Michelle says, "Let go a little, u will have a little happiness. let go a lot, you will have a lot of happiness. let go completely, you will have freedom."
Specifically, this reminds me the second verse of my dear Guru Nanak's great poem Japji on Oneness: Hukam - His Will.
"Hukam rajai" assumes that Ekonkar is sovereign and we do not have much control. So a lot of the things we do to attain peace/freedom/happiness are useless. The only action that makes sense is "Hukam Rajai" -- surrendering to the will to the ruler of our destiny. Surrendering is nothing but loving. And singing is the expression of love! So, the purpose of life remains to sing! This is what my Dear Guru Nanak meant in the 15/16th century in this morning prayer, Japji when he said "Hukam Rajai."
Here are interpretations of Guru Nanak's poem "Hukam Rajai" (Japji 1).
I have started to translate Guru Nanak's Japji Sahib that is a guide to reach the peace promised by the understanding of Ekonkar. Here are the first two steps. The essence, in my opinion, remains that the purpose of life is to sing.
Acceptance
On the path of purity
I did not become clean
On the path of silence
I did not gain peace
On the path of riches
I did not gain wealth
On the path of intelligence
I did not gain wisdom
Walking the path of acceptance
I found the noble truth.
June 24, 2011
- Shiv
Crossing the clean path
I did not become pure
Striding the silent path
I did not gain peace
Going the gilded path
I did not gain wealth
In the intelligent path
I did not gain wisdom
On the path of love
I found everything.
- Shiv
June 22, 2011
Do not try to clean
what can't be made pure
Do not try to quiet
what can't be at peace
Do not try to feed
hunger that doesn't die
Do not try to know
what can't be understood
Acede to the power
that rules everyone
- Shiv
March 18, 2011
Step 1: Gratitude
Cleaning the doesn't clean the mind
cleaning the body a-thousand
Silencing scarcely bring silence
sitting soundless years a-thousand
Hunger happens to still linger
Having heaps hoarded a-thousand
Like candles in the wind are wits
useless rendered a-thousand
Then how to see the light of truth
and remove all this dark falsehood?
By rejoicing in His Will, says Nanak,
and in His will being thankful!
- February 2011
Hukam Rajai - Path of Surrender
On the path of purity
I did not become clean
On the path of silence
I did not gain peace
On the path of riches
I did not gain wealth
On the path of intelligence
I did not gain wisdom
Walking the path of surrender
I found the noble truth.
Step 2: His Will
Its in His Will one and all No one else does have a say Through His Will springs all life And His Will that makes small or great His Will brings High or low stature His will is what brings joy and pain In his will are those in peace In his will too wandering in vain Everyone everywhere in His will Without His will there is no one And once His will is understood Says Nanak "I" becomes defunct
March 14, 2011; edited March 1, 2021
Shiv
Cleansing doesn't cleaning
if you clean tier by tier
Silencing doesn't brings silence
if you sit soundless year after year
Hunger will still linger no matter
how many heaps are hoarded here
Like flickers of candles in the wind
the best of wits will disappear
What is then the light of truth
whose brilliance makes the path clear
Living in grace in spite of darkness
and singing His song everywhere
- Shiv
seeker of truth
follow no path
all paths lead where
truth is here
- ee cummings
Inspired me to write the following interpretation of Guru Nanak's "Hukam Rajai":
Hukam Rajai - Path of Surrender
On the path of purity
I did not become clean
On the path of silence
I did not gain peace
On the path of riches
I did not gain wealth
On the path of intelligence
I did not gain wisdom
Walking the path of surrender
I found the noble truth.
- Shiv
My thoughts on “Seeker Of Truth”
In the poem by E.E. Cummings, the profound notion he conveys is that the quest for truth ultimately originates from within ourselves. As I delve into his words, it becomes evident that "The Seeker of Truth" eschews the conventional paths, as they merely lead to external destinations, while the truth resides within us, a truth we often overlook in our pursuit of answers. Cummings dispels the contradictions of life in his verses, making it clear that the reader assumes the role of both seeker and speaker, emphasizing that the truth is a personal journey. We all navigate the intricacies of existence, seeking that elusive truth, and the poet's message urges us to self-discovery. It is a revelation that surprises us when we realize that the answers we seek have been nestled within us all along.
Consider, for instance, the way we approach problem-solving. When faced with a mathematical conundrum, we readily turn to external sources for solutions. However, when grappling with deeper, philosophical dilemmas, we seldom seek external guidance, for we understand that no one comprehends our inner workings better than we do. Cummings prompts us to question why we seek external validation when the answers are inherently part of our being. His poem compels us to discover the truth not by following established paths, but by forging our own unique routes. To him, this journey may be arduous, but it is one we must embrace. We frequently seek truth externally, yet the poet underscores that the most genuine understanding of life emanates from within. We cannot continually rely on others to chart our course, for our life's design is our own creation. In the end, the truth cannot be sought externally, for there exists no definitive methodology. Cummings assures us that the truth is not distant; it resides nowhere else but within ourselves, awaiting our diligent exploration.
In Guru Nanak's aarti exclaims in wonder that every path has the essence of Ek Onkaar:
"Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force." ~Lao Tzu
You know I Can't Smile Without You, I Can't Smile Without You, I can't laugh and I can't sing, I'm findin' it hard to do anything. You see, I feel sad when you're sad, I feel glad when you're glad, If You only knew what I'm go ing through, I just Can't Smile Without You.
You came along just like a song and brightened my day, Who'd've believe that you were part of a dream Now it all seems light years away.
And now you know I Can't Smile WIthout You, I Can't Smile Without You, I can't laugh and I can't sing, I'm finding it hard to do anything. You see, I feel sad when you're sad, I feel glad when you're glad, If you only knew what I"m going through, I just can't smile.
Now some people say happiness takes so very long to find. Well I'm finding it hard leaving your love behind me. And you see, I Can't Smile Without You, I Can't Smile Without You, I can't laugh and I can't sing, I'm findin' it hard to do anything. You see, I feel sad when you're sad, I feel glad when you're glad, If You only knew what I'm going through, I just Can't Smile Without You
Whatever name you give to any religion, it is never more then a coat covering the essence. The essence needs no name or cover, it is for all. ~ Peter Reijnders
To have joy one must share it. Happiness was born a twin.
~ Lord Byron
ODE ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT DROWNED IN A TUB OF GOLDFISHES
By Thomas Gray
’Twas on a lofty vase’s side, Where China’s gayest art had dyed The azure flowers that blow; Demurest of the tabby kind, The pensive Selima, reclined, Gazed on the lake below.
Her conscious tail her joy declared; The fair round face, the snowy beard, The velvet of her paws, Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, She saw; and purred applause.
Still had she gazed; but ’midst the tide Two angel forms were seen to glide, The genii of the stream; Their scaly armour’s Tyrian hue Through richest purple to the view Betrayed a golden gleam.
The hapless nymph with wonder saw; A whisker first and then a claw, With many an ardent wish, She stretched in vain to reach the prize. What female heart can gold despise? What cat’s averse to fish?
Presumptuous maid! with looks intent Again she stretch’d, again she bent, Nor knew the gulf between. (Malignant Fate sat by, and smiled) The slippery verge her feet beguiled, She tumbled headlong in. Eight times emerging from the flood She mewed to every watery god, Some speedy aid to send. No dolphin came, no Nereid stirred; Nor cruel Tom, nor Susan heard; A Favourite has no friend!
From hence, ye beauties, undeceived, Know, one false step is ne’er retrieved, And be with caution bold. Not all that tempts your wandering eyes And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glisters, gold.
Singing oneness!
