New posts

Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!

Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
Sign up Log in

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Embers" data-source="post: 108962" data-attributes="member: 9385">Dear Virinder  Thank you for your answer and warm welcome to the forum, your reply has helped shed some light on my understanding. Is the word for a realised person a “Gurmukh” in Sikh philosophy, it appears not from my searches? What word does the Sri Guru Granth Shahib Ji use for this state, please, so I can better read the scriptures?  I have elaborated on my recent understanding below, which may help to explain why I ask about Self-realisation and the Sri Guru Granth Shahib. I would welcome feedback, should one wish: Before Self-realisation, one may worship for a number of reasons, such as upbringing, self identity, gain (such as health for family) and for moksa. However on Self-realisation one realises that all is Akal Purkh. From the perspective of the normal individual, it would be absurd to worship oneself, possibly even incorrect (i.e. manmukh), however from the perspective of the Self-realised, the urge to worship, if it rises at all, is natural as it occurs to no one but Akal Purkh and so it Hukam.  Given this argument, we can explain how the concept of worship (bhagti / bhakti) arises at a human behaviour; it arises because it is Hukam. By the power of Maya we fail to recognise Hukam. However in the sense of the Self-realised person it is likely to be performed without thought of an outcome (such as better family health) as the Self-realised person knows it all is Hukam. It also implies that worship may not be limited to a path (bhakti marg) but a result of removing Maya also.  My concluding point is that bhakti can and is performed by the Self-realised person regardless of if and how it was performed before Self-realisation.    As a note on the side, please note I have not discussed the different variations of worship i.e. Ardas, Paath or kirtan and have tried to keep the core concept salient i.e. worship can occur (perhaps for the first time) after enlightenment despite also being described as a path towards moksha.  I also understand that it is seeing through Maya which results in Self-realisation in Sikh thought? (I will read the posts on Maya shortly but wished to reply without too much delay). Yours kindly, Ambers.</blockquote>

Verification