Sikh Theology
SPNer
- Oct 31, 2024
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Taken from: What is the Highest Form of Liberation?
Mukti: This state is attained by that fortunate soul who, having fully seen and understood the True Guru, becomes a complete devotee of the Guru's household and takes the Gurmantar and initiation from there. By taking the Gurmantar and continuously practicing the teachings of Gurmat, he immerses his body and mind in this practice and thereby achieves the salvation of his soul within. He attains the immense knowledge of self-realization and ultimately achieves complete liberation.
The liberation described by Gurmat is distinct from the liberation described by other doctrines. According to Gurmat, liberation is not merely about ending one's existence or freeing the soul from the body. Many have labeled liberation as merely escaping the painful body. For them, liberation can only occur with the destruction of the physical body. Others consider reaching heavens or paradises as liberation. This too is liberation by a lesser measure according to Gurmat. Liberation is not just about escaping self-imposed miseries, nor is it about achieving a detached state from nature, nor is it the state of isolation in Yoga philosophy, nor the empty ego-brahmhood of Vedanta, nor the renunciation of all desires in Buddhism leading to Nirvana, nor the Jain method of nonviolence to all living beings to achieve a high state. Simply moving beyond the cycle of birth and death is not true liberation either.
According to Gurmat, all these forms of liberation are merely superficial. Gurmukhs (those who follow the Guru's teachings) have transcended this kind of liberation. Gurmukhs, as true swans, while awake in this body, behold the boundless divine light, partake in the food of the divine name, become one with the all-pervading Vaheguru, serve at the feet of the divine, and become liberated while living. Only those who see the divine light within this body truly achieve the ultimate liberation as per Gurmat. Living detached from the world like the lotus in water, practicing the true essence of the divine name, such individuals are truly liberated according to Gurmat. This supreme state can only be attained through service and surrender at the Guru's feet. The service in Gurmat is such that the liberation it brings is not imaginary, speculative, or theoretical; the mind witnesses this light within, fully convinces itself of its reality, and all delusions are dispelled, leading to visible salvation. In the Guru's house, countless Gurmukhs have attained such salvation. Salvation has come, is coming, and will come only through the praises and hymns of Gurmat, through the company of saints, devotees, and Gurmukhs, and not otherwise. Their primary goal is to attain the Supreme Being, and they do not seek any liberation devoid of this divine attainment.
Mukti: This state is attained by that fortunate soul who, having fully seen and understood the True Guru, becomes a complete devotee of the Guru's household and takes the Gurmantar and initiation from there. By taking the Gurmantar and continuously practicing the teachings of Gurmat, he immerses his body and mind in this practice and thereby achieves the salvation of his soul within. He attains the immense knowledge of self-realization and ultimately achieves complete liberation.
The liberation described by Gurmat is distinct from the liberation described by other doctrines. According to Gurmat, liberation is not merely about ending one's existence or freeing the soul from the body. Many have labeled liberation as merely escaping the painful body. For them, liberation can only occur with the destruction of the physical body. Others consider reaching heavens or paradises as liberation. This too is liberation by a lesser measure according to Gurmat. Liberation is not just about escaping self-imposed miseries, nor is it about achieving a detached state from nature, nor is it the state of isolation in Yoga philosophy, nor the empty ego-brahmhood of Vedanta, nor the renunciation of all desires in Buddhism leading to Nirvana, nor the Jain method of nonviolence to all living beings to achieve a high state. Simply moving beyond the cycle of birth and death is not true liberation either.
According to Gurmat, all these forms of liberation are merely superficial. Gurmukhs (those who follow the Guru's teachings) have transcended this kind of liberation. Gurmukhs, as true swans, while awake in this body, behold the boundless divine light, partake in the food of the divine name, become one with the all-pervading Vaheguru, serve at the feet of the divine, and become liberated while living. Only those who see the divine light within this body truly achieve the ultimate liberation as per Gurmat. Living detached from the world like the lotus in water, practicing the true essence of the divine name, such individuals are truly liberated according to Gurmat. This supreme state can only be attained through service and surrender at the Guru's feet. The service in Gurmat is such that the liberation it brings is not imaginary, speculative, or theoretical; the mind witnesses this light within, fully convinces itself of its reality, and all delusions are dispelled, leading to visible salvation. In the Guru's house, countless Gurmukhs have attained such salvation. Salvation has come, is coming, and will come only through the praises and hymns of Gurmat, through the company of saints, devotees, and Gurmukhs, and not otherwise. Their primary goal is to attain the Supreme Being, and they do not seek any liberation devoid of this divine attainment.
