The body shall turn to dust, and the soul shall fly away
The Sikh Gurus tell us very clearly that slowly our time is running out. As we live and enjoy the pleasures of the world "plugged" into the world through our sensual inputs, the body's time is approaching the end.
The inputs from these excellent 20-20 vision eyes give us exciting images of our transient surroundings; the image is deep, full colour and real-time. But it does not stop there! We are linked into the most superb hi-fi audio receptacles called ears, which provide unbelievable stereophonic sound. To add to these 2 sensual inputs, we have several others inputs – the sense of touch, feeling and physical contact; the sense of taste and of smell; and the sense of movement, temperature, etc.
It is not surprising that with so many high-calibre inputs, the mind – the central processing unit - is overwhelmed and lost in this physical sensual world! Most of us become slaves of our senses; we spend most of our free time “plugging” pleasurable inputs into these senses so that our mind is pleasantly entertained.
Some become addicts of TV; others become food slaves; others indulge in excessive drink, or cigarettes, etc. The list goes on and on. Then to add to this we become slaves of our five emotional senses – lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. Emotions begin to control our sensual reality and we mimic the models we see in our material world. Soon our sensual world and emotional world dominate us. We become a product of our environment – total dependent on the immediate surroundings.
Our emotions and senses play a predominate part in our lives. For many this overload of inputs and emotion creates ‘processing overload’. To satisfy our emotional “needs” we move away from the path of truthfulness and on to wrong-doings. Some begin to crave for the wealth belonging to others; some start robbing and thieving; some start to suppress other beings; many abuse the weak in society - women, children, minorities, etc. The list of abuses then becomes endless.
While these senses and emotions are busy sending entertaining signals to the mind, the everyday pains of life are forgotten. We are continuously feed our emotional cravings. We forget the reality around us and are awake only to the world created by these sensory signals and emotional feelings.
Of all other living forms in the universe, human form is the most highly evolved being known. Coupled to high-calibre sensual inputs, we have the exquisite faculty of distinction and discrimination, called ‘intellect’. The processing system called the mind is miles ahead of anything else found on Earth. For this reason, man is said to have been created by God ‘in His own image’. Thus, we say that the ‘human form is the cream of cosmic creation’. However, the driver of the mind and the body is the soul.
According to Sikhi, the soul is an integral part of the ‘Prime Soul’ or the Supreme Consciousness, in very much the same way as a ray of light belongs to its source — ‘the Sun’. The two differ only in degree (power), but in essence (quality) they are the same.
“Within the pool of the body, there is an incomparably beautiful lotus flower. Within it, is the Supreme Light, the Supreme Soul, who has no feature or form. (1)” (SGGS p857)
and also
“All are in the One, and the One is in all. This is what the True Guru has shown me. (5) He who created the worlds, solar systems and galaxies - that God cannot be known. (6) From the lamp of God, the lamp within is lit; the Divine Light illuminates the three worlds. (7)” (SGGS p907)
Most of us do not have the time or inclination to explore the mind and the soul which can only be realised by “self interrogation”
“Those who restrain their wandering mind, keeping it steady and stable, obtain the supreme status, by Guru's Grace…...How rare are those who, as Gurmukh, look within their bodies, into their minds. Through loving devotion, their ego evaporates. The Siddhas, the seekers and the silent sages continually, lovingly focus their consciousness, but they have not seen the mind within the body. ||7||” (SGGS p123)
It is time for us to “plug” ourselves out of these sensual and emotional inputs; to look within and face the reality of human life. Read this shabad and face the truth of Gurbani:
Soohee, First Mehla:
As iron is melted in the forge and re-shaped,
so is the godless materialist reincarnated, and forced to wander aimlessly. ||1||
Without understanding, everything is suffering, earning only more suffering.
In his ego, he comes and goes, wandering in confusion, deluded by doubt. ||1||Pause||
You save those who are Gurmukh, O Lord, through meditation on Your Naam.
You blend with Yourself, by Your Will, those who practice the Word of the Shabad. ||2||
You created the Creation, and You Yourself gaze upon it; whatever You give, is received.
You watch, establish and disestablish; You keep all in Your vision at Your Door. ||3||
The body shall turn to dust, and the soul shall fly away.
So where are their homes and resting places now? They do not find the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, either. ||4||
In the pitch darkness of broad daylight, their wealth is being plundered.
Pride is looting their homes like a thief; where can they file their complaint? ||5||
The thief does not break into the home of the Gurmukh; he is awake in the Name of the Lord.
The Word of the Shabad puts out the fire of desire; God's Light illuminates and enlightens. ||6||
The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is a jewel, a ruby; the Guru has taught me the Word of the Shabad.
One who follows the Guru's Teachings remains forever free of desire. ||7||
Night and day, enshrine the Lord's Name within your mind.
Please unite Nanak in Union, O Lord, if it is pleasing to Your Will. ||8||2||4|| sggs 752
