Is your Destiny awakened
IV
In the Gurbani we have:
Oh Nanak, the Guru’s knowledge lies in the fact that our attention is absorbed in the Naam that vibrates everywhere.
This Guru’s knowledge is mentioned in all religions, but the peace does not come until the knowledge is fulfilled – from within. Why otherwise do all Masters sing the praises of Naam? Naam vibrates in every atom; yet we ask, ‘Where is It?’
The Master describes this very beautifully:
“The Diamond, Gem, Jewel, overflows in all creation’s ocean.”
One inestimable Existence is overflowing in the whole of Creation – there is no place without It. Whatever is created is all Naam; there is no place without Naam. To be connected to such a Power is a priceless gift.
“Whoever is greatly blessed with good fortune will bring out the Truth with the Guru’s knowledge.”
If one does not meet the Satguru, the knowledge remains hidden.
No one is beggarly or hungry, for each has a Ruby in his bundle; but it is never opened, the Ruby never seen, and he is penniless.
Most people are not interested in higher knowledge, and so never meet the Guru; and the Priceless Treasure remains hidden and unknown. It is not a question of religion or a matter of caste. Drunkards never consider each other’s birth or character – they all drink together.
So, in the name of Naam all are equal, whether born a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, etc. Simply, whoever has the high destiny or good fortune to learn how to bring out the Truth from within is greatly blessed. Otherwise, he leaves this world in ignorance: he came hungry, lives in hunger, and will leave hungry.
“That jewelled Ruby is the Naam, which the Guru brings forth and places in the hand.”
It lies in everyone, but,
When the Satguru is met, you see with your own eyes, and realise the Truth within the house (body).
Whoever gives a little experience of the Truth is a True Guru indeed. He will not say, ‘Go on doing what I tell you, and you will get salvation after death.’ The True Teaching of the Masters is to give salvation while living in this world, for whatever you have learned here will remain with you when you leave at death. Do you think that an illiterate man will become a learned teacher just by going through that change which we call death? The Masters believe in salvation – freedom from the wheel of births and deaths – during one’s lifetime.
Namdev very frankly declares,
If salvation comes after death, then this type of salvation is valued less than coal.
What value can it have? The whole life is spent in sorrow and misery, and one dies unhappy too – what is the use of salvation when the life is endured and finished? If we can get some peace and contentment during life, our whole outlook and actions change. It is another criterion of judging whether one has got the contact with Naam. A man must change. If one sits near a fire, one will enjoy its warmth; and if one sits near a block of ice, he will feel the chill.
When one enters a salt mine, everything seems salty. Is the Lord’s Naam so, that even after contacting It no change has occurred in you?
Rather it means that you have not had the True Contact. We go on saying ‘Naam, Naam,’ but the fact is that we do not know what Naam is.
If you meet a truly realised Soul, He will give you the experience of Naam – do not accept anything less than this criterion.
If you listen to propaganda, you will be misled, for anyone can speak fine words with a little training. One can pick up a stone these days and find a guru of some kind or other. Gurus, you will find many – but disciples, none. An actual Inner Experience does not really need any words of support.
When Maharishi Ashtavakra asked King Janaka,
Have you received the knowledge?
The King replied,
Yes, Maharaj.
The receiver should freely admit of his own accord that he has received something. He can do this only if he gets the experience: it is not a question of mere praise for an individual – ‘He is a very big Master’ – etc., etc.
What proof is there that he is by a mere flood of praise? If the seeker gets some experience that he can acknowledge, then there is a definite indication that more can be had; but if he receives nothing, by what indication can he judge?
So, the teaching of the Masters is free from bondage, and it makes others free.
Service to a free person brings freedom.
What can he who is bound do for another?
In the Gurbani it is written,
If the master is hungry and naked, how can his servant eat his fill?
After all, we are healthy enough to take our food – we are very clever about many things; but when it comes to our Spiritual Work, we are suddenly very naïve – almost ignorant, you might say. Is this an intelligent attitude? An awakened seeker will never be satisfied until he gets something substantial – an experience – be it but little: to give the prospect of greater things ahead. So, if you seek employment from one who is himself starving – just tell me, what will you have to eat and drink?
The world is blind and works blindly; without the Guru the Way is not found; when the Satguru comes, the eye can see; and within the house the Truth is realised.
How clear these words are! Why is it that those who read so avidly the words of the Masters allow themselves to be so easily misled? One is misled when one does not fully understand the meaning of the words.