Spirituality is very subjective and introspective for a person, It focuses on an individual’s change of heart and mind. Spirituality enhances a relationship with God. It gets into the life of a person where one does not restrict himself/herself to the chapel of the religious institutions. Rituals can be helpful in the process of preserving one’s culture and bringing communities together, they sometimes turn into mere production where intention is lost.
Spirituality, as emphasized by Bulleh Shah’s teachings, transcends mere rituals and external religious practices do not take you to the divine. His quote,”
”Makke gayaan gal mukdi naaheen
Pahnwe sau sau Jumme parh aiay
Ganga gayaan gal mukdi naaheen
Pahnwe sau sau ghote khaiay
Goa gayaan gal mukdi naaheen
Pahnwe sau sau pand parhaiay
Bulley Shah! Gal tanyo mukdi
Jadon main nu dilon ganwaiay”
Meanings: Pilgrimage to Mecca would not suffice Even if you said a hundred prayers. A trip to the Ganges would serve no purpose. Even if you took a hundred dips Going to the Goa temples would not help Even if you chanted a hundred mantras, Bulley Shah! The job shall only be done When your heart is cleansed of your ego. Here the Sufi poet is emphasizing the sincerity of a pure heart without ego over ritualistic observances.
The Challenge of Modern Life and Spirituality
Daily tasks start the day, and we spend the night resting from the day’s stress. Little wonder then that we would be preoccupied with other activities, leaving us no time to contemplate our creator or say meaningful prayers. Most of us conduct prayers aimlessly without focusing on the words said and thus make them mechanical acts. As much as we need money to support our families, we should also take care of the soul.
The Vitality of Making Money Rightly
There is nothing wrong with making money; The need to make money rightly is attributed to the concept of earning money in balance with spiritual and moral development, which is the act of making money ethically and mindfully, which leads to accruing good karma.
The main issue is in the conflict of interest between what might be termed worldly ambition and personal salvation or spiritual growth. But the teaching is to harmonize our worldly desires with our spiritual development. But how can one communicate with God, despite all the hustling? The answer to why it is difficult to do. It is a technique that takes five minutes of your time daily.
Spirituality–A Step-by-Step Method for direct connection with your GOD
Find Five Minutes Daily: If you have no time for prayer, meditation, or adoration, take at least five minutes in a day to thank your creator. Such a small effort can create a big change in your life. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu.
Relax and Sit Erect: Find a comfortable spot to sit on any furniture of your choice and put yourself at ease. Summarily fold your arms and tilt your head slightly backward while making sure your spine is straight. It helps with destressing; hence, there is no need to engage in defining the correct postures or breathing methods.
Close Your Eyes and Focus: Relax and let your vision go inwards, towards the middle of your forehead between your eyebrows. Now try to imagine your favorite god or goddess in your pineal gland. At some point, you will be able to get a clear view of the deity. This is a kind of dhyan yog.
“यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया। यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति॥” “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 20
This verse emphasizes the meditative state in yoga where the mind is completely restrained and the self is experienced within oneself.
Creating sacred space: One of the most profound and safe methods to connect with the divine, no matter which deity you honour, is to reflect after your prayers or mantra chanting. Close your eyes and turn your focus inward, deep into your heart. Visualise the deity as a radiant light, glowing softly within you. Allow this light to expand, filling your heart with warmth and peace. Let the essence of your deity envelop you, creating a sacred space of connection and love.
Commune with the Divine: When you reach this level of visualisation, practice communing with Him or Her. Take five minutes daily to practice this—where you want, before you eat or after, before you take a bath or after, at your preferred time. “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your soul.” – Swami Vivekananda.
A sacred love affair: Spirituality can be likened to a love affair in its early stages. Initially, it may feel like a one-sided love where you are trying to please someone who does not seem interested in you. It is important to understand that this is not a worldly love affair; you are in love with your deity, and this relationship has transcended many lifetimes. You aim to satisfy your deity, which may require many lifetimes. It is essential to maintain consistency in your efforts.
Understanding the essence of divine love: This passage is drawn from the esteemed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, specifically from Ang 59-60, and it has been beautifully articulated by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. In these lines, the essence of divine love is explored, offering insights into the profound relationship one can nurture with the Divine. The teachings emphasize the importance of devotion, surrender, and the deep emotional connection that can be cultivated as one seeks to love and honour the Divine presence in their life.
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
सिरीरागु महला १ ॥
Siree Raag, First Mehla 1 ॥
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਜਲ ਕਮਲੇਹਿ ॥
रे मन ऐसी हरि सिउ प्रीति करि जैसी जल कमलेहि ॥
O mind, love the Lord, as the lotus loves the water.
ਲਹਰੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਛਾੜੀਐ ਭੀ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਅਸਨੇਹਿ ॥
लहरी नालि पछाड़ीऐ भी विगसै असनेहि ॥
Tossed about by the waves, it still blossoms with love.
ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਜੀਅ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਜਲ ਮਰਣੁ ਤਿਨੇਹਿ ॥੧॥
जल महि जीअ उपाइ कै बिनु जल मरणु तिनेहि ॥१॥
In the water, the creatures are created; outside of the water they die. ||1||
ਮਨ ਰੇ ਕਿਉ ਛੂਟਹਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਿਆਰ ॥
मन रे किउ छूटहि बिनु पिआर ॥
O mind, how can you be saved without love?
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਬਖਸੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੰਡਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
गुरमुखि अंतरि रवि रहिआ बखसे भगति भंडार ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
God permeates the inner beings of the Gurmukhs. They are blessed with the treasure of devotion. ||1||Pause||
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਮਛੁਲੀ ਨੀਰ ॥
रे मन ऐसी हरि सिउ प्रीति करि जैसी मछुली नीर ॥
O mind, love the Lord, as the fish loves the water.
ਜਿਉ ਅਧਿਕਉ ਤਿਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਘਣੋ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸਰੀਰ ॥
जिउ अधिकउ तिउ सुखु घणो मनि तनि सांति सरीर ॥
The more the water, the more the happiness, and the greater the peace of mind and body.
ਬਿਨੁ ਜਲ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਜੀਵਈ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਅਭ ਪੀਰ ॥੨॥
बिनु जल घड़ी न जीवई प्रभु जाणै अभ पीर ॥२॥
Without water, she cannot live, even for an instant. God knows the suffering of her mind. ||2||
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਮੇਹ ॥
रे मन ऐसी हरि सिउ प्रीति करि जैसी चात्रिक मेह ॥
O mind, love the Lord, as the songbird loves the rain.
ਸਰ ਭਰਿ ਥਲ ਹਰੀਆਵਲੇ ਇਕ ਬੂੰਦ ਨ ਪਵਈ ਕੇਹ ॥
सर भरि थल हरीआवले इक बूंद न पवई केह ॥
The pools are overflowing with water, and the land is luxuriantly green, but what are they to her, if that single drop of rain does not fall into her mouth?
ਕਰਮਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੋ ਪਾਈਐ ਕਿਰਤੁ ਪਇਆ ਸਿਰਿ ਦੇਹ ॥੩॥
करमि मिलै सो पाईऐ किरतु पइआ सिरि देह ॥३॥
By His Grace, she receives it; otherwise, because of her past actions, she gives her head. ||3||
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਜਲ ਦੁਧ ਹੋਇ ॥
रे मन ऐसी हरि सिउ प्रीति करि जैसी जल दुध होइ ॥
O mind, love the Lord, as the water loves the milk.
ਆਵਟਣੁ ਆਪੇ ਖਵੈ ਦੁਧ ਕਉ ਖਪਣਿ ਨ ਦੇਇ ॥
आवटणु आपे खवै दुध कउ खपणि न देइ ॥
The water, added to the milk, itself bears the heat and prevents the milk from burning.
ਆਪੇ ਮੇਲਿ ਵਿਛੁੰਨਿਆ ਸਚਿ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਦੇਇ ॥੪॥
आपे मेलि विछुंनिआ सचि वडिआई देइ ॥४॥
God unites the separated ones with Himself again and blesses them with true greatness. ||4||
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਚਕਵੀ ਸੂਰ ॥
रे मन ऐसी हरि सिउ प्रीति करि जैसी चकवी सूर ॥
O mind, love the Lord, as the ( Chakvee) duck loves the sun.
ਖਿਨੁ ਪਲੁ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਸੋਵਈ ਜਾਣੈ ਦੂਰਿ ਹਜੂਰਿ ॥
खिनु पलु नीद न सोवई जाणै दूरि हजूरि ॥
She does not sleep, for an instant or a moment; the sun is so far away, but she thinks that it is near.
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਸੋਝੀ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਦਾ ਹਜੂਰਿ ॥੫॥
मनमुखि सोझी ना पवै गुरमुखि सदा हजूरि ॥५॥
Understanding does not come to the self-willed Manmukh. But to the Gurmukh, the Lord is always close. ||5||
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਗਣਤ ਗਣਾਵਣੀ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
मनमुखि गणत गणावणी करता करे सु होइ ॥
The self-willed Manmukhs make their calculations and plans, but only the actions of the Creator come to pass.
ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਜੇ ਲੋਚੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥
ता की कीमति ना पवै जे लोचै सभु कोइ ॥
His Value cannot be estimated, even though everyone may wish to do so.
ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਚਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੬॥
गुरमति होइ त पाईऐ सचि मिलै सुखु होइ ॥६॥
Through the Guru’s Teachings, it is revealed. Meeting with the True One, peace is found. ||6||
ਸਚਾ ਨੇਹੁ ਨ ਤੁਟਈ ਜੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
सचा नेहु न तुटई जे सतिगुरु भेटै सोइ ॥
True love shall not be broken, if the True Guru is met.
ਗਿਆਨ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਇ ॥
गिआन पदारथु पाईऐ त्रिभवण सोझी होइ ॥
Obtaining the wealth of spiritual wisdom, the understanding of the three worlds is acquired.
ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਜੇ ਗੁਣ ਕਾ ਗਾਹਕੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੭॥
निरमलु नामु न वीसरै जे गुण का गाहकु होइ ॥७॥
So, become a customer of merit, and do not forget the Immaculate Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||7||
ਖੇਲਿ ਗਏ ਸੇ ਪੰਖਣੂੰ ਜੋ ਚੁਗਦੇ ਸਰ ਤਲਿ ॥
खेलि गए से पंखणूं जो चुगदे सर तलि ॥
Those birds that peck at the shore of the pool have played and have departed.
ਘੜੀ ਕਿ ਮੁਹਤਿ ਕਿ ਚਲਣਾ ਖੇਲਣੁ ਅਜੁ ਕਿ ਕਲਿ ॥
घड़ी कि मुहति कि चलणा खेलणु अजु कि कलि ॥
In a moment, in an instant, we too must depart. Our play is only for today or tomorrow.
ਜਿਸੁ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਲਹਿ ਸੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਾਇ ਸਚਾ ਪਿੜੁ ਮਲਿ ॥੮॥
जिसु तूं मेलहि सो मिलै जाइ सचा पिड़ु मलि ॥८॥
But those whom You unite, Lord, are united with You; they obtain a seat in the Arena of Truth. ||8||
ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
बिनु गुर प्रीति न ऊपजै हउमै मैलु न जाइ ॥
Without the Guru, love does not well up, and the filth of egotism does not depart.
ਸੋਹੰ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿ ਪਤੀਆਇ ॥
सोहं आपु पछाणीऐ सबदि भेदि पतीआइ ॥
One who recognizes within himself that, “He is me”, and who is pierced through by the Shabad, is satisfied.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਅਵਰ ਕਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਾਇ ॥੯॥
गुरमुखि आपु पछाणीऐ अवर कि करे कराइ ॥९॥
When one becomes Gurmukh and realizes his self, what more is there left to do or have done? ||9||
ਮਿਲਿਆ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਮੇਲੀਐ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਪਤੀਆਇ ॥
मिलिआ का किआ मेलीऐ सबदि मिले पतीआइ ॥
Why speak of union to those who are already united with the Lord? Receiving the Shabad, they are satisfied.
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਸੋਝੀ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਵੀਛੁੜਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਇ ॥
मनमुखि सोझी ना पवै वीछुड़ि चोटा खाइ ॥
The self-willed Manmukhs do not understand; separated from Him, they endure beatings.
ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰੁ ਘਰੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜੀ ਜਾਇ ॥੧੦॥੧੧॥
नानक दरु घरु एकु है अवरु न दूजी जाइ ॥१०॥११॥
O Nanak! There is only one door to His Home; there is no other place at all. ||10||11||
How it works: As you take a comfortable position for prayers, meditation, or japa. Allow yourself to truly appreciate the peak moment of stillness. Release the distractions of the outside world and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Even if it’s just for a brief few seconds, directing your focus during this sacred time can profoundly benefit your spirit and mind, fostering a deeper connection with your practice.
Practice Before Bed: If possible, spend a few minutes before going to bed practising this and thanking the divine for the day.
Benefits of This Practice
- When you add this practice into your daily habits, you will also find dramatic changes in your character and money flow in your life. It also helps you be in tune with who you are inside, which consequently stills the mind. It also creates a feeling of thankfulness, and as a result, you become happier always. “True knowledge is not attained by thinking. It is what you are; it is what you become.” – Sri Aurobindo emphasizes the experiential nature of spirituality, where true understanding comes from being and becoming rather than intellectualization.
- When you concentrate on the vision of the deity during your prayers, and this vision is fully realized, you transcend the limits of time. In this heightened state of awareness, you may lose track of time itself, journeying into the profound experience of samadhi, a deep meditative state where all distractions fade away and a sense of unity with the divine is felt.
- When you enter a state of samadhi, a deep meditative state of consciousness, strive to connect with the causal world, often referred to as Karann Jagatt. By immersing yourself in this profound experience, you have the opportunity to elevate and illuminate your consciousness, paving the way for greater spiritual growth and divine awareness.
Call to Action https://amzn.to/3VOhNNn
Start today! Take just 5 minutes of your day and try it yourself to see the difference of being connected with the Divine. We have one aim here, and that is to make sure you’re able, so please pick the time that’s most convenient for you. Remember, consistency is key. Make it a routine until you notice that your life has transformed for the better. https://amzn.to/49LslCI
References for Spirituality : Kabir’s Philosophy and Spirituality
A Deep Dive into Kabir’s Philosophy https://observations.in/a-deep-dive-into-kabirs-philosophy/
The Law of Attraction and the Bhagavad Gita
Spiritual Practice and Insights:
https://observations.in/why-worry-a-spiritual-perspective/
https://observations.in/kabirs-wisdom/
Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji https://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?S=y
Bhagavad Gita, One of the most important spiritual classics, offers profound teachings on the nature of reality, duty, and devotion. Chapter 6, Verse 20: “यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया। यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति॥” Translation: “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
Quotes and Teachings
Lao Tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
Swami Vivekananda: “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your soul.”
Sri Aurobindo: “True knowledge is not attained by thinking. It is what you are; it is what you become.”
Sufi Lyrics by Bulleh Shah
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