Why Are We Here? - 3

Continued from Previous Page

In the previous part, we saw that the initial thrust of Guru’s education is geared towards streamlining the body.  But how this streamlining of the body is going to be established?  It is with the mind.  With the mind we can listen, discern, rationalize, decide and implement a course of action.  Thus, if we decide to implement a change, we can make it happen, by applying our mind to it. 

Now if we start looking at our mind, we will find that it has been molded by our life’s experience, our observations, instructions that we received from parents, teachers and society in general.  As the mind is a collective repository of these experiences, we always act out based on the data processed by our mind, factoring the experiences as stored in mind. These experiences have given us the firm conviction that; “I am always right.”  Therefore, in our lives we make concerned effort to upgrade and improve our belongings as house, automobile, wardrobe, jewelry, but don’t feel the need to work on our own mind.  But Guru’s education is concerned about transforming our mind, changing our thinking. Guru Ji has made a candid picture of our mind in these words:

“Maaee mun maero bus naahi.  Nis baasur bikhian ko dhhaavath kihi bidhh roko thaahi” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 632)

Meaning:  O mother, my mind is out of control. Night and day, it runs after sin and corruption. How can I restrain it?

Guru Ji provides us with the answer to the problem and suggests us that we should give up on the understanding of our own mind:

“Mun kee mut tyaagahau har jan eaehaa baat kathainee.”  — (SGGS, Pg. No. 800)

Meaning:  So renounce the clever intellect of your mind, O humble servants of the Lord, no matter how hard this may be.

But what is wrong with our mind?  Why is Guru Ji telling us to give it up?  What will be accomplished by giving it up?  Let us ask Guru Ji to share with us the answers to these questions.  Guru Ji says:

“Nanak vin satgur mut bhavee.” — (SGGS, Pg. No.1092)

Meaning: O Nanak, without the True Guru, the intellect is perverted.

Guru Ji tells us why is mind perverted? Guru Ji says:

“Sadaa chnit Chitvadda rahai, sahsaa kadai na jaa-ae.” — (SGGS, Pg. No.1092)

Meaning: It is always plagued by anxiety, and its cynicism never departs.

Now, we can see that Guru’s education makes us aware that the mind is constantly in motion with anxiety and worries. So, how this motion can be restrained, and stillness installed in a mind that is constantly in motion? Interestingly Guru Ji has even asked this question for our sake:

“Koun s akhar jith dhhaavath rehathaa.” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 131)

Meaning: What is that Word, by which the wandering mind can be restrained?

Guru Ji provides us answer in form of a leash of new thought to rein in the mind:

“Guramukh akhar jit dhhaavath rehataa” — (SGGS, Pg. NO. 131)

Meaning: The Guru's Instruction is the Word, by which the wandering mind is restrained.

Guru’s instructions will exert the braking action that will stop the wandering motion of the mind. Guru Ji even provides with those words that can stop the mind in motion. Guru says start watching over the mind and stop it every time it starts wandering by asking it where are you going? Guru Ji says tell the mind:

“Kahaa chalhoe mun rahau gahrae.” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 414)

Meaning: Where are you going? O mind remain in your own home.

This simple sentence reminds the mind every time it starts worrying, getting anxious to come home thus reining it in, and instilling stillness in mind. Thus the mind is being observed to see what thoughts are being generated, the moods are being watched and feelings are being observed. This exercise of observation tames the wild horse known as mind. Well now this makes sense. We are constantly worrying. We want to do get this, we want to do that, and we want to go there. Our “To Do” list is constantly growing as we keep on adding new items to that list. No matter how many things are accomplished and deleted, still the list keeps growing. There is no sign of it shrinking, so there is no question of it being completed and declaration that there is no need for such a list anymore. Even when we accomplish what we set out to do, we are constantly worried that it may be jeopardized, and we may end up losing. Guru Ji wants to change our mind, so that the desires and fears are replaced with thankfulness, contentment and fearlessness. So how is Guru Ji going to transform our mind? Guru shares the secret in these words:

“Gur kae shabad bannavo eh mun.” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 377)

Meaning: Shape this mind in the mold of the Guru's Word.

This type of education we do not receive from our educational institutions. This is the fundamental distinction between the worldly education and Guru’s education. Worldly education provides us with expertise and knowledge of a subject matter, while Guru’s education provides us with higher understanding. Guru Ji has not just shown us the distinction between two types of minds, but also how to cultivate, and reconstruct new mind. The mind that is free of worries, concerns, and mental stress can become our commonwealth. Guru Ji’s advice is to pray in these words:

“Oottam mut maerai ridhai tu aao.” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 377)

Meaning: O sublime understanding come, enter into my mind.

What will be the benefit of this reconstruction of mind? Guru Ji tells us:

“Dhheeavo gaavo gun Govinda att preetam mohae laagai naao.” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 377)

Meaning: (So that) I may meditate and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe, keep Him in mind and love so dearly the Lord's Naam.

Thus, we can see that Guru’s education will transform our mind. At present our mind is made up of recordings of our past experiences, and feelings, where threat, fear, scarcity were the predominant thoughts. This will be replaced with a new mind which has new qualities of abundance, fearlessness, contentment, integrity, honesty, generosity, kindness as the building blocks. With Guru Ji’s education where the mind will stay is also described for our benefits by Guru Ji.

“Theh hee mun jeh hee thai raakhiaa aisee gurmut paaee.” — (SGGS, Pg. No.1232)

Meaning: Wherever You keep my mind, there it is. This is what the Guru has taught me.

This is the unique education of Guru which completely stops the wandering nature of mind and brings it to rest. The mind becomes calm, poised and even the trying and stressful conditions do not disturb the balance of mind. In other words the external challenging times, difficulties, stormy conditions, do not disturb the stillness of mind. The mind is not agitated, and it can coolly weather the storm.

Summary

Thought: My mind is not under my control.

Quote: “Maaee mun maero bus naahi. Nis baasur bikhian ko dhhaavath kihi bidhh roko thaahi” — (SGGS, Pg. No. 632)

Meaning: O mother, my mind is out of control. Night and day, it runs after sin and corruption. How can I restrain it?

Action: I will monitor my mind and take actions that will shape my mind in the mold of the Guru’s Word.

Continued to Next Page