Sorrow Makes You Realize The Unreality Of This World And All Its Relations

[Harry Haller]

As well as the fact that Gurbani teaches us that pain is the medicine and pleasure is the disease for in pleasure, one rarely thinks of God.

I would suggest that any pleasure that involves the five thieves is a disease, and at that point, one never thinks of God, however, there are simple pleasures where one often thinks of God, the smile on a newborn, the eating of a delicious apple, the smell of a very old range rover, there are plenty pleasures that one can enjoy, devoid of the five thieves that connect one with God, in my opinion.

 

[sukhsingh]

As well as the fact that Gurbani teaches us that pain is the medicine and pleasure is the disease for in pleasure, one rarely thinks of God.

Loved the bit about pain leading to compassion for others.

This is a bit off topic but I have a friend who once told me about someone really spiritually gifted. He said the way this woman became so gifted at lived at such a high frequency was that every time she saw someone mistreating/ hurting someone else she made a vow to herself that she would never do the same thing.

A king could be a beggar in the next life and a beggar a King, it shows that we are all equal and should never look down on a soul less fortunate. We're all the same, we're just where we've been put.

I remember as a kid and experiencing racism and thinking how irrational prejudices. And it made me reflect on my own prejudices and what Impact they have on framing my own perspective. When I considered 1 onkaar. Sat naam. It made me think that if prejudice is born out of falsehood and I object to racism, then if I want to live in a world devoid of prejudices I should first question my own.

 

[Harry Haller]

we hate in others, what we normally hate in ourselves..

 

[sukhsingh]

we hate in others, what we normally hate in ourselves..

In addition I think in most cases hate/prejudice is taught... In most cases I think hate is generated by accident, or rather as a by product of the manipulation of power or response to injustice. So for instance when as youngsters growing up in England I remember elders dismissing white culture as immoral and women as promiscuous, which served in part as a defence mechanism to boost a cultural identity. But then second and third generation kids identifying and defining themselves as the "other" . Rock n roll music is white people's music, hip hop is for blacks and if you don't like bhangra your a Coconut. Before you know it these characteristics can imprison our minds. I think this goes for all people, we try to define ourselves by what we think we are not or rather construct identities for ourselves to make us feel better about ourselves. But ultimately it's tribal. Without sounding all high and mighty and sanctimonious I had to stop wearing my kara and cut my hair because I felt I did not deserve to. Wearing a big kara to use in a rare up was akin to a nazi boot boys doc martens or a brahmins jannaeu. Devoid of what it stands for.

 

[Sikhilove]

I would suggest that any pleasure that involves the five thieves is a disease, and at that point, one never thinks of God, however, there are simple pleasures where one often thinks of God, the smile on a newborn, the eating of a delicious apple, the smell of a very old range rover, there are plenty pleasures that one can enjoy, devoid of the five thieves that connect one with God, in my opinion.

It depends on what you're like. Gratitude often leads one to thank Him for our gifts, many keep consuming while wishing for more, an endless cycle of desire.

 

[Sikhilove]

In addition I think in most cases hate/prejudice is taught... In most cases I think hate is generated by accident, or rather as a by product of the manipulation of power or response to injustice. So for instance when as youngsters growing up in England I remember elders dismissing white culture as immoral and women as promiscuous, which served in part as a defence mechanism to boost a cultural identity. But then second and third generation kids identifying and defining themselves as the "other" . Rock n roll music is white people's music, hip hop is for blacks and if you don't like bhangra your a Coconut. Before you know it these characteristics can imprison our minds. I think this goes for all people, we try to define ourselves by what we think we are not or rather construct identities for ourselves to make us feel better about ourselves. But ultimately it's tribal. Without sounding all high and mighty and sanctimonious I had to stop wearing my kara and cut my hair because I felt I did not deserve to. Wearing a big kara to use in a rare up was akin to a nazi boot boys doc martens or a brahmins jannaeu. Devoid of what it stands for.

Great post

Just now, I walked home with a friend who wears a turban and got negative looks from a gang of white and black guys. My friend looked down as we walked by them because the way they were dressed, their mannerisms etc collectively indicated they were bad news.

It's really sad how much society and culture has had a negative impact on many people in England and London where I live, especially blacks and whites many of whom are attached to gang culture which is promoted on tv and in music.

This great city is scattered with people like this who try to Instill fear in others, out of insecurity I have found.

 

[RD1]

I would suggest that any pleasure that involves the five thieves is a disease, and at that point, one never thinks of God, however, there are simple pleasures where one often thinks of God, the smile on a newborn, the eating of a delicious apple, the smell of a very old range rover, there are plenty pleasures that one can enjoy, devoid of the five thieves that connect one with God, in my opinion.

Being awe-struck in the presence of mountains, hearing a moving poem or song, gazing at stars millions of light years away, feeling the soft petals of a flower - the simplest pleasures indeed can make one feel connected to something so profound! The beauty of the One is all around us.

 

[RD1]

Before you know it these characteristics can imprison our minds

Agreed. We end up putting ourselves into rigid boxes if we think like this - and this inhibits our personal growth and development. In turn, we also stereotype and put others into rigid definitions or boxes. We will see others as different, and unlike us - and this will fuel ignorance, further fear, and hate. Divisions grow. We all have our labels - our gender, nationality, ethnicity, professions, etc., but these things need to be seen as secondary. We must see each other label-less first and foremost - as human, as carriers of the divine, as manifestations of the One. Focus on what connects us, what we share, first and foremost.

 

[Sikhilove]

Agreed. We end up putting ourselves into rigid boxes if we think like this - and this inhibits our personal growth and development. In turn, we also stereotype and put others into rigid definitions or boxes. We will see others as different, and unlike us - and this will fuel ignorance, further fear, and hate. Divisions grow. We all have our labels - our gender, nationality, ethnicity, professions, etc., but these things need to be seen as secondary. We must see each other label-less first and foremost - as human, as carriers of the divine, as manifestations of the One. Focus on what connects us, what we share, first and foremost.

Maya can't comprehend freedom of choice, they only know the gimmick of society. When you're free from the chains of bull, you're free from the gimmick of society.

Bhagat are societies outcastes, they may look the part and get along with everyone (which is actually what we're supposed to do) but in their hearts, they remain detached in knowledge of the Truth.

 

[Harry Haller]

Bhagat are societies outcastes, they may look the part and get along with everyone (which is actually what we're supposed to do) but in their hearts, they remain detached in knowledge of the Truth.

any in my view such people do not impart their knowledge, they just act by it

 

[Sikhilove]

any in my view such people do not impart their knowledge, they just act by it

A friend once told me that there was a living sant, a woman, with a heart so stunning. They said you could walk past her on the street and not look twice.

Another Sant would just have to stand near someone and people would often start crying. People wouldn't even know this person was a sant, the mere Truth presence would drive people to tears. This person seemed like a regular guy, with the exception that they had an amazing presence.

Of course they act by their knowledge, but teaching is divine, the Gurus imparted their knowledge to the masses as did other bhagats. We learn from the Greats that came before us.