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SPIRITUALISM
A SIKH PERSPECTIVE
BY
Virinder S. Grewal, M.D., F.A.C.S.
SPIRITUALISM AND SPIRITUALITY BASED ON MORALITY
Sikh Spiritualism differs from the dictionary definition of Spiritualism, which deals with reality relating to Spirit. In Sikhism, matter and spirit are regarded as real, both being created by Akal Purkh (God): Creation is in God and God is in Its creation.
ਸੂਖਮ ਅਸਥੂਲ ਸਗਲ ਭਗਵਾਨ
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਛਾਨ ॥
Sūkẖam asthūl sagal bẖagvān. Nānak gurmukẖ barahm pacẖẖān.
Sūkẖam asthūl sagal bẖagvān. Nānak gurmukẖ barahm pacẖẖān.
God is subtle and manifest in all mind and matter. Nanak says, that Guru oriented recognizes God. -----Guru Arjun, Thiti Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 299-17
Spiritualism demands the subjugation of born with lower human instincts. It promotes, instead, the cultivation of Divine virtues through deliberation and reflection, in daily life, of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus as incorporated in the Aad Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This should lead us to a state of Sahaj – bliss, and serenity. This is an un-conflicted state where emotional response and rational assessment speak with the same voice. Consequently, one comes out triumphant in the highest spiritual sense of the Word, enlightened by Spiritual Wisdom.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to the younger generation of the Sikhs in Diaspora in the West, to my late parents S.S.S. Karam Singh Grewal, IPS, and Mrs. Livlin Kaur Grewal and to my late daughter-in-law Mrs. Lisa Kaur Grewal. Moreover, to the people of the west who would like to have an insight into Spiritual understanding of Sikh values?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I finally got the courage to put the Sikh spiritual values in the shape of a book after being coaxed repeatedly by my friends. My special thanks to my wife Manjit Kaur Grewal who indirectly instigated me after our marriage on January 12, 1964, by bringing AGGS to our home and to the USA. I further thank her for supporting me by leading her life with only a few complaints about my being stuck to the computer, tolerating it as an apparent addiction and taking other annoyances here and there in stride. I would also like to thank my three sons Gaggandeep Singh, Manvir Singh, and Amardeep Singh for their support and encouragement. Only my son Manvir Singh took his Gurmukhi Course at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, during his BS by taking the opportunity of The Sikh studies Program. The Sikh chair was established at U of M by Sikhs of the USA headed by me. Manvir does read AGGS daily. I hope every young Sikh in the West takes his example. Unfortunately IMHO the future of this Universal Faith and Spirituality, in general, seems to be bleak.
As well several other friends have urged me privately, to compile most of the writings in the form of a book for the benefit of the Sikhs at large in the west. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for their encouragement and support.
My gratitude goes to Late Prof. Balbir Singh Ph.D. of Stanford University for the review and corrections in the book.
PREFACE
Sikh Philosophy revolves around Truth, which in fact is another name of Immortal Self Existent God (Akal Purkh). Sikh Gurus have placed the main stress in their writings compiled in Aad Guru Granth Sahib (Holy book of Sikhs) on the ethical side of life (Morality) and character. Guru Nanak’s Jap Ji explains the five steps in the development of character and spirituality, integral to it. The advantages of Guru Nanak’s religion are indescribable, and whoever leaves it and strays to other religions or sects is unfortunate and loses his human birth. He preached to all a religion of the heart as distinguished from a religion of external forms and unavailing ritual. He found that the acts and austerities practiced by professedly religious men of his age and country were without divine love or devotion, and consequently contained no merit before God. He satisfied himself that Brahma, the reputed author of the Vedas, did not include love in them, nor was it mentioned in the Simritees. He declared that God who has no form or outline and is not found by wearing religious garbs, but by humility, rejection of caste, and worshipping God in spirit so they could be accepted in Its court. The Guru examined all religious sects, contemplated the gods, goddesses, and spirits of earth and heaven, and found them all immersed and perishing in spiritual pride. He scrutinized Hindus, Muslims, Priests, Prophets, and could not find one godly person among them. They were all groping in the blind pit of superstition.
The moral and political merits of the Sikh religion are that it prohibits idolatry, hypocrisy, caste exclusiveness, the con-cremation of widows, the immurement of women, the use of wine and other intoxicants, tobacco-smoking, infanticide, slander, pilgrimages to the sacred rivers and tanks of the Hindus; and it inculcates loyalty, gratitude for all favors received, philanthropy, justice, impartiality, truth, honesty, and all the moral and domestic virtues known to the holiest citizens of any country.
In the achievement of spiritual growth one has to subjugate the five lower instincts of Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, and Vanity/Ego and further development of the virtues of Truth, Contentment, Compassion, Faith in the existence of God, and Fortitude, leading to humility, and further communicate the message of spiritual knowledge to others.
ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥
ਜਾਂ ਪੰਚ ਰਾਸੀ ਤਾਂ ਤੀਰਥ ਵਾਸੀ ॥
viḏiā vīcẖārī ṯāʼn parupkārī. Jāʼn pancẖ rāsī ṯāʼn ṯirath vāsī.
viḏiā vīcẖārī ṯāʼn parupkārī. Jāʼn pancẖ rāsī ṯāʼn ṯirath vāsī.
Contemplate and reflect upon Divine Knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to the others. When you conquer the five passions, then you shall come to dwell at the sacred shrine of pilgrimage. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 356-14
One needs a positive attitude to correct the thought process that generates the right thoughts. It does not come easy: Divine Almighty does not automatically grant the virtues but hs to be diligently developed. Spirituality is preparing your body and mind, to receive God's inspiration (Grace) and translating it into one’s thinking, speech, and actions, leading to the formation of virtuous habits forming good character. Being humble, loving and compassionate is the Goal in Life. This can lead to Spiritual Enlightenment for a union of the Mind with the Conscience.
Spiritual experience is being of the spirit. It is a devotion to the metaphysical matters and activities, which renew, uplift, comfort, heal and inspire the others and us with whom we interact. It is the development of True Divine being to the point that one’s spirit attains the character of the Holy Spirit of God, the highest spiritual achievement ever made.
By meaningfully applying teachings (ਦੀਖਿਆ) contained in AGGS, that allow ego to vanish in the fire of Divine love, so that spiritual growth can be achieved. The purpose of developing spirituality is to be free of spiritual ignorance, free of selfish or destructive behavioral patterns and being free to return home to our eternal home in God.
The spirit is one part of the triad forming reality. The others are mentality (being of the mind) and sensuality (being of senses and body). These three together create reality. A delicate balance must be maintained with contentment in the unity with the universe to achieve harmony. Spirit is the non-physical aspect of existence. The mind is a bridge between spirit and body. Spirituality used to be the sole domain of religion but lately, science has developed with close alignment.
In recent years, “spirituality” has often carried connotations of the believer’s faith being more personal, less dogmatic, more open to new ideas and myriad influences, and more pluralistic than the faiths of established religions. Those speaking of “spirituality” rather than “religion” are apt to believe that there are many “spiritual paths” and that there is no objective truth about which is the best to follow. On the other hand, there are many adherents of orthodox religions who consider spirituality to be an aspect of their religious experience, and they are more likely to contrast spirituality with secular “worldliness” than with the ritual expression of the religion. Others of a more new-age disposition hold that spirituality is not a religion per se but the active and vital connection to an incomprehensible and unfathomable force, power, or sense of the deep self. IMHO, spirituality is not the inherited property of any religion and one can be spiritual without aligning to a religion. Some proponents of spirituality believe that the goal of “being spiritual” is to simultaneously improve one’s wisdom, will power and communion with God/universe, which necessitates the removal of an illusion of feeling and thinking of the sensory aspect of a person. Other spiritual proponents point out that spirituality is a two-stroke process. The upward stroke relates to inner growth and the downward stroke relates to manifesting improvements in the world/reality around us because of the inward change with the meaningful transformation of the individual psyche.
The rule of thumb when evaluating any spiritual approach is that six months of diligent, proper practice should manifest noticeable improvement in one’s life, when followed honestly, truthfully with willingness. If not, then the usual advice is to pick an approach that is more likely to assist you in achieving your specific goals. The spirit or psyche is a multidimensional aspect of “consciousness” most commonly thought of as being composed of the “subconscious” and “superconscious”. Thus, the psyche (spirit) is the self-other than the ego. Ego is the main obstruction in the way of spiritual growth. However, the traditional definition of the psyche (spirit) is limited by our lack of experience in utilizing the psyche as an integral, involved segment of acknowledged experience. Laws of space and time do not bind the spirit, although it is capable of having experience within space-time dimensions. At its deeper levels, such as the subconscious level, the spirit expands out into a gracious communion of a cooperative venture with all consciousness. Therefore, the individual who learns the art of communicating with the spirit enhances the ability to tap into universal knowledge that is both specifically life-altering and of great importance universally.
The Universal Spirit is comprised of all of the living, self-aware forms of consciousness in existence within all realms of experience. The individual spirit is you, which recognize at this given time as you focus in on the singular signal or frequency that represents your current life. The ego is a portion of the psyche (spirit), its physical face but the psyche is composition in its entirety encompasses literally unlimited realms of knowledge and creativity. Spiritually pertinent wisdom and knowledge reside within the psyche, sitting in wait for the individual to stir into action and learn the language of the Universal Spirit. By altering the patterned performance of the conscious mind, the stance of the individual shifts in its relationship to space and time, the ego is gradually introduced to unfamiliar neurological messages that reside within the spirit. Thus, perceptions heighten, alternate flows of powerful and pertinent knowledge and creativity results, and the mind elevates to a new level of intellectual/intuitive functioning.
The Guru, faith, Truth, and the capital of God’s name are necessary for salvation. Without Guru, there is no spiritual/Divine knowledge. Without faith, there is no meditation. Without Truth, there is no credit and without capital no balance. The best act is Philanthropy (desire to help humanity), without which human birth is accursed. Alms gifts penance and sacrifices are not equal to Philanthropy.
Guru Angad in Raag Majh questions and answers about meeting the God:
Q.
ਦਿਸੈ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਸਾਉ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਰੁਹਲਾ ਟੁੰਡਾ ਅੰਧੁਲਾ ਕਿਉ ਗਲਿ ਲਗੈ ਧਾਇ ॥
Ḏisai suṇīai jāṇīai sāo na pāiā jāė. Ruhlā tundā anḏẖulā kio gal lagai ḏẖāė.
It is seen, heard and known, but Its subtle essence is not obtained. How can the lame, armless and blind person run to embrace God?
A.
ਭੈ ਕੇ ਚਰਣ ਕਰ ਭਾਵ ਕੇ ਲੋਇਣ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਕਰੇਇ॥
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹੈ ਸਿਆਣੀਏ ਇਵ ਕੰਤ ਮਿਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
Bẖai kė cẖaraṇ kar bẖāv kė loiṇ suraṯ karėi. eyes. Nānak kahai siāṇīė iv kanṯ milāvā hoe.
Let the Fear of God be your feet, and let Its Love be your hands; let God’s Understanding be your eyes, Says Nanak, in this way, you shall be united with your Husband Creator, the Universal Conscience, O wise soul-bride. ----M/2-139/3-6
Forever and ever, you are the only One; You set the play of duality in motion. You created egotism and arrogant pride, and You placed greed within our beings. Keep me as it pleases Your Will; everyone acts as You cause them to act. Through the Guru's Teachings, some are forgiven, and merge with you; and some stand and serve You; without the Name, nothing else pleases them. Any other task would be worthless to them-You have directed them to Your True Service. In the midst of children, spouse and relations, some remain detached; they are pleasing to Your Will. Inwardly and outwardly, they are pure, and they are absorbed in the True Name.-----Guru Angad, Raag Majh Ki Vaar, AGGS, Page, 139
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I have presented in this book 176 articles, a mini glossary of Gurmukhi words, denoting the Sikh Values, which could help in evolving the character of an individual for spiritual growth. Members have debated most of these subjects on many Sikh forums and are titled accordingly. I would also like to clarify to the readers that a number of Sabd Guru Hymns are repeatedly referred to in articles to make the writings more complete individually and to follow the traditions of repetition by the Sikh Gurus to make the message reach the core of the heart (ਰਿਦੈ) of the readers. This book also describes how the Sikh religion is being practiced ritualistically in the Gurudwaras by the uneducated priests against what is written in AGGS.
In this book, I have tried to bring out the reality of the present challenges facing the younger generation of the Sikhs in Diaspora. I have also tried to bring out the tools contained in AGGS for the spiritual growth of the individuals contriving for it.
In truth, there are many paths to spiritual growth. No one can say which one is best. The essays in this book represent the path of my own personal learning and experience of Sikh thought.
In the end, I have included a mini-glossary of the Gurmukhi words of AGGS for a better understanding of the Sikh Holy Book (AGGS).
INTRODUCTION
Spiritual Experience
ਸਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥
ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਨ ਤਿਨਿ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਨਿਆ ॥
ਜਾ ਕੈ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਿਸ੍ਵਾਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਇਆ ॥
ਤਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਇਆ ॥
Saṯ sarūp riḏai jin māniā. Karan karāvan ṯin mūl pacẖẖāniā. Jā kai riḏai bisvās parabẖ āiā. Ŧaṯ giān ṯis man paragtāiā.
Saṯ sarūp riḏai jin māniā. Karan karāvan ṯin mūl pacẖẖāniā. Jā kai riḏai bisvās parabẖ āiā. Ŧaṯ giān ṯis man paragtāiā.
One who believes in the Embodiment of Truth with all his heart recognizes the Cause of causes as the Root of all. The essence of spiritual wisdom is revealed to the mind of those, whose heart is filled with faith in God. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 285-10
An individual through a spiritual experience can only feel God’s presence in a belief system that allows for the possibility that there is an Unconditionally Loving Higher Power -- a God-Force, Unfathomable metaphysical Energy, Great Spirit or whatever one would like to call. This belief needs to be powerful enough to accept that everything is unfolding perfectly from a Cosmic Perspective in the mind of the individual. That everything happens for a reason -- there are no accidents, no coincidences, and no mistakes and logic are necessary to understand all of this.
"Spiritual emergence is the process of personal awakening into a level of perceiving and functioning, which needs to be powerful enough to overcome the functioning of the normal ego. The process may include one of the following phenomena: acceptance of personal prayer, out-of-body experiences, occult phenomena, pre-cognition, clairvoyance, astral travel, mystical experience and perception of auras. At its peak, spiritual emergence is the experience of the ultimate unity of all things, a merging with the Divine, which transcends verbal description. Among the positive effects of this process are increased creativity, feelings of peace, and an expanded sense of compassion."
ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨੁ ਮਨਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਭਇਆ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਲਇਆ ॥
ਏਹ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ਹੇ ॥
Giān raṯan man pargat bẖaiā. Nām paḏārath sėhje la▫i▫ā.Ėh vadi▫ā▫ī gur ṯe pā▫ī saṯgur ka▫o saḏ bal jā▫ī he.
Giān raṯan man pargat bẖaiā. Nām paḏārath sėhje la▫i▫ā.Ėh vadi▫ā▫ī gur ṯe pā▫ī saṯgur ka▫o saḏ bal jā▫ī he.
The jewel of Spiritual Wisdom is revealed within the mind. The wealth of the Naam is easily, intuitively received. This glorious greatness is obtained from the Guru; I am forever a sacrifice to the True Guru. -----Guru Ram Das, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1089-15
Those speaking of “spirituality” rather than “religion” are apt to believe that there are many “spiritual paths” and that there is no objective test for choosing the best path to follow. The goal of “being spiritual” is to simultaneously improve one’s wisdom, will power and communion with God, universe, energy or force. This necessitates the removal of illusion caused by feeling and thinking at the sensory level by us.
Spirituality is preparing your, body and mind, to receive God's inspiration and translating it into one’s thinking, speech, and actions. This leads to the formation of virtuous habits forming good character. Spirituality is a two-stroke process. The upward stroke relates to inner growth and the downward stroke relates to manifesting improvements in the world or the reality around us because of the inward change.
As spiritual awakening begins, motivations inevitably shift from the egocentric toward the desire to serve others. This kind of service is necessary if the awakening and development are to continue: Spiritual growth requires a life of service.
ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਏ ਮਾਨੁ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਲਗਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਲਗਾ ਸੋ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ॥
Āp gavāė sėvā karė ṯā kicẖẖ pāė mān. Nānak jis no lagā ṯis milai lagā so parvān.
Āp gavāė sėvā karė ṯā kicẖẖ pāė mān. Nānak jis no lagā ṯis milai lagā so parvān.
However, if one eliminates his/her self-conceit and then performs service, one shall be honored and merges with the One with whom one is attached, his attachment becomes acceptable, O, Nanak. -----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page 474-10
Prayer, Meditation, Remembrance of the Word of God, Contentment at the Will of God, Morality, Selflessness, Integrity, Honor, Dignity, Trustworthiness, Restraint, and Deferred gratification of desires lead to spiritual progress with the guidance and use of the tools prescribed in AGGS. The secret is in "understanding the meaning" that lies behind the written words and in between lines. These words, language, and the symbols are mere "tools" for the linear mind's understanding. It is the action on these instructions, which makes the difference.
There is no greater penance than patience, no greater happiness than contentment, no greater evil than greed, no greater virtue than mercy, and no weapon more potent than forgiveness.
The spiritual experience is a personal ecstatic pleasure, which makes an impact of God’s presence and Grace in the mind of the individual experiencing it, which cannot be shown or effectively communicated to the others.
We are all experiencing a Spiritual evolutionary process, which is unfolding perfectly according to Divine plan or Absolute Principle, in alignment with precise mathematically, scientifically, and musically attuned Universal laws for interaction with energy. We are spiritual beings and are having a human experience. This is the focus of spiritual experience.
ਅਵਿਗਤ ਗਤਿ ਅਗਾਧ ਬੋਧਿ ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਅਸਗਾਹ ਅਪਾਰੀ ।
ਸਹਨਿ ਅਵਟਣੁ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥੨॥
Avagati Gati Agaadhi Bodhi Akath Katha Asgaah Apaari. Sahan Avtan Peroupkari.
To have knowledge of the dynamism of that un-manifest God (Akal Purkh) is a very deep experience, and to say something of that ineffable God is a Herculean task. Only Guru Oriented suffer while doing good to others.-----Bhai Gurdas,Vaar 11, Pauri 2-7, 8
