Sehje: state of the mind
The Guru Granth Sahib is unique among the religious "Holy Books" of the world in that it does not just offer spiritual guidance for its own adherent alone but impart guidance and assistance for all the peoples and religions of the world. "Says Kabeer, I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord; I teach both Hindus and Muslims. ॥4॥4॥14॥" (SGGS p479). Further, it does want the listener or reader to change his or her religion but just become a better person within their own faith. "Where have the Hindus and Muslims come from? Who put them on their different paths? Think of this, and contemplate it within your mind, O men of evil intentions. Who will go to heaven and hell? ||1|| "(SGGS p477) and also "The Muslim knows the Muslim way of life; the Hindu knows the Vedas and Puraanas. To instruct their minds, people ought to study some sort of spiritual wisdom. ||5||"(SGGS p340).
Sahaj or Sehje in Sikh vocabulary, refers to a state of mental and spiritual equipoise (balanced state) without the least intrusion of ego; unshaken natural tranquillity and effortless serenity attained through spiritual discipline. Ego or Ahankar (aham or haumai) is a development of the undifferentiated primitive being – it is a lower level of emotion of the human mind. It is a result of the socio-cultural conditioning and factors that are generated as a result of a process of individuation.
Ego is thus a mere psychic reaction, a defence system that is shrouded in the primordial nature of the human mind. But it is also responsible for all kinds of emotional and mental disturbances. When this ego is quelled, and one resides once again in the innate, undisturbed, effortless state of the soul, sahaj is said to have been attained. Although called a state of the mind (avastha), in fact it transcends all states, for it is a return to the soul as it was before any ‘states’ differentiated or derived in the first place.
The Siri Guru Granth Sahib is a supreme treasure for all mankind. Not only is it the true and permanent spiritual guide for the Sikhs but it offers invaluable instructions to all the peoples of the world. Guru Granth Sahib transcends creed and caste, cant and convention. It does not belong to the Sikhs alone. It consecrates the sayings of 11 Hindu bhagats and as many bard poets and seven Muslim saints, along with the teachings of six Sikh gurus. No other religion has included in its holy book the sayings of so many others, however revered. The Guru Granth Sahib provides unique and unequalled guidance and advice to the whole of the human race. It is the torch that will lead humanity out of Kaljug, (the dark era) to a life in peace, tranquillity and spiritual enlightenment for all the nations of the World. See what some important non-Sikh personalties have said about this Granth.
| ਜਤ ਸਤ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾਮ ਹੈ ਵਿਣ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ |
| Jaṯ saṯ sanjam nĝm hai viṇ nĝvai nirmal na ho▫e. |
| The Name of the Lord, is abstinence, truthfulness, and self-restraint. Without the Naam, no one becomes pure. ਪੂਰੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਨਾਮ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੀ ਰੰਗਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਗਣ ਪਾਵੈ ਸੋਇ ॥੪॥੧੭॥੫੦॥ |
| ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਝ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਕਤਿ ॥੨॥ |
| Nĝnak saṯgur bẖeti▫ai pūrī hovai jugaṯ. Hasanḝi▫ĝ kẖelanḝi▫ĝ painanḝi▫ĝ kẖĝvanḝi▫ĝ vicẖe hovai mukaṯ. ॥2॥ |
| O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way.
While laughing, playing, dressing and eating, he is liberated. ॥2॥ |
