Hard Times And Gurmat

[Sukhdeep Singhh]

Lately times seem hard. We are experiencing a bad world economy, high unemployment,etc. It seems as during these hard times people are falling apart, unfortunately because they do not have the coping skills some have even gone to the extent of taking their own life. Its often the case in which hard times lead people to regress spiritually.

Blessed is the Gurmukh who Guru Sahib has made his own. Dhan Dhan Satguru Sahib Ji has built his Sikhs to such an extent that they view hard times as good times since suffering allows us to seek internally for Guru Ji.

duKu dwrU suKu rogu BieAw jw suKu qwim n hoeI ]

dhukh dhaaroo sukh rog bhaeiaa jaa sukh thaam n hoee ||

Suffering is the medicine, and pleasure the disease, because where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God.

A Sikh in distress and turns inwardly with genunine emotions will always be consoled by Guru Ji. Seeking internally lead the eyes to acquire internal version in which they become blind to the mundane problems of the world. Guru presence puts one in Sach Khand even in the midst of harsh times.

According to the below GuruVak ; Gurus Sikhs never see bad times.

AauKI GVI n dyKx dyeI Apnw ibrdu smwly ]

aoukhee gharree n dhaekhan dhaeee apanaa biradh samaalae ||

He does not let His devotees see the difficult times; this is His innate nature.

hwQ dyie rwKY Apny kau swis swis pRiqpwly ]1]

haathh dhaee raakhai apanae ko saas saas prathipaalae ||1||

Giving His hand, He protects His devotee; with each and every breath, He cherishes him. ||1||

When knowing one is in the presence of Guru Ji then ones worries, anxieties, fears get destroyed. When the mind is in the presence of Satguru Ji ones mind transcends to such a state it as though they are travelling on the pathway of Sach Khand even in the midst of hard times. Take the Puratan Singhs for example , they were living in the jungles through the worsest conditions yet they experienced the greatest bliss because they were in Guru Jis presence. Similarily , take the Shaheeds of 84 they were outnumbered and surrounded in a dangerous situation. Yet they still were in high spirits and ultimate bliss because they knew Guru jis was always with them. When one is in the presence of such purity and holiness ones understanding ( perception, vision) becomes refined and more stronger. The scariest things seem like the most harmless. The biggest obstacles, seem like smallest hurdels. Pennis seem like millions of dollars.

jo jo kIno Awpno iqsu ABY dwnu dIqw ]2]

jo jo keeno aapano this abhai dhaan dheethaa ||2||

Whoever the Lord makes His own, is blessed with the gift of fearlessness. ||2||

isMGu iblweI hoie gieE iqRxu myru idKIqw ]

si(n)gh bilaaee hoe gaeiou thrin maer dhikheethaa ||

The lion becomes a cat, and the mountain looks like a blade of grass.

sRmu krqy dm AwF kau qy gnI DnIqw ]3]

sram karathae dham aadt ko thae ganee dhhaneethaa ||3||

Those who worked for half a shell, will be judged very wealthy. ||3||

Guru Sahib has refined his Sikhs mind and vision to such an extent that they regard bad experiences as an opporunty to strentghen ones Bhagti and to improve ones external circumstances. For example, if one becomes fired from their job or recieves a poor test result in their studies. The fear of what the future may bring does not take place in the mind. In fact these irrational fears which constanly haunt the mind become like tame cats when in the presence of Guru Ji. One constantly does Naam Simran strenghtening which strengthens ones esteem and confidence. Greater confidence in ones abilities leads to succesful job interviews also greater esteem givies them more competence in their learned skills. Plus postive optimism leads one to work harder in their studies without a let down heart.

Guru Sahibs presence gives us such confidence that a gigantic mountain which seems impossible to get through seem like a blade of glass in which we can walk right through. Meaning when one experiences a great obstacle which seems like it will take millions of steps and seems impossible to cross seems like a peice of cake through Guru Jis presence. Guru Jis presnece in the mind opens such new avenues that through Gurus guidance one becomes more creative and stronger in handling situations .That which at first seemed difficult because of ones Manmat seems easy through Gurus guidance.

Gurus presence make pennies seem like millions of dollars. Even when working for modest wages the capital is actually priceless. Working honestly, Meditating on his Naam within Gurus presence, giving a share of your earnings this allows to seeker to recognize the path of Boundless wealth ( Sach Khand).

Gwil Kwie ikCu hQhu dyie ] ghaal khaae kishh hathhahu dhaee ||

One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has

nwnk rwhu pCwxih syie ]1]

naanak raahu pashhaanehi saee ||1||

- O Nanak, he knows the Path. ||1||

The wealth on this path is unlimited and overflowing. The wealth acquired on this path creates a storage of True Wealth within the mind that no troubles, anxites , depressions can ever harm it. This is the true wealth that SatGuru Nanak Dev Ji bought for the upliftment of humanity. This wealth of naam instructs the mind to always remember Guru Ji and lovingly accept his will even during harsh times.

gurmuiK kwr kmwie Bwxw BwieAw]

guramukh kaar kamaae bhaanaa bhaaeiaa||

They adopt the daily routine of the Gurmukhs, and Gods Will becomes dear to them.

gurmuiK Awpu gvwie sic smwieAw]

guramukh aap gavaae sach samaaeiaa||

As Gurmukhs, losing their ego, they merge in the Truth.

sPlu jnmu jig Awie jgqu qrwieAw ]21]20]

safal janam jag aae jagath tharaaeiaa ||21||20||

Their birth in the world is meaningful and they across the whole world also.(21)(20)

[AvnitK]

whaeguru veerji thank u for the beautiful post