Goal of Human Life

Sikh80 · 09-12-2007, 11:18 AM

The Ultimate Goal

The Ultimate Goal « Khalsa...

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Sikh80 · 10-12-2007, 08:22 PM

Dear Randip,
ssa.
Shakti and bhakti go on side by side. Physical power is immaterail and inconsequenial. A banyan tree lives for 5000 years . But what is the use of it. A man worth 42 year [guru gibind singh ji sahib was only 42 when he breathed his last] is ten times better than any one age wise.
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
What do you think?

Sikh80 · 11-12-2007, 08:02 AM

Hi Siny.........

I am posting the shabad that states 'the attitude' that may be helpful sometimes.
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)

gauVI pUrbI ]
Gauree Poorbee:
surg bwsu n bwCIAY frIAY n nrik invwsu ]
Don't wish for a home in heaven, and don't be afraid to live in hell.
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
honw hY so hoeI hY mnih n kIjY Aws ]1]
Whatever will be will be, so don't get your hopes up in your mind. ||1||

rmeIAw gun gweIAY ]
Sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord,

jw qy pweIAY prm inDwnu ]1] rhwau ]
from whom the most excellent treasure is obtained. ||1||Pause||

ikAw jpu ikAw qpu sMjmo ikAw brqu ikAw iesnwnu ]
What good is chanting, penance or self-mortification? What good is fasting or cleansing baths,

jb lgu jugiq n jwnIAY Bwau Bgiq Bgvwn ]2]
unless you know the way to worship the Lord God with loving devotion? ||2||

sMpY dyiK n hrKIAY ibpiq dyiK n roie ]
Don't feel so delighted at the sight of wealth, and don't weep at the sight of suffering and adversity.

ijau sMpY iqau ibpiq hY ibD ny ricAw so hoie ]3]
As is wealth, so is adversity; whatever the Lord proposes, comes to pass. ||3||

kih kbIr Ab jwinAw sMqn irdY mJwir ]
Says Kabeer, now I know that the Lord dwells within the hearts of His Saints;

syvk so syvw Bly ijh Gt bsY murwir ]4]1]12]63]
that servant performs the best service, whose heart is filled with the Lord. ||4||1||12||63||

This is Kabir Sahibs Bani. Sometimes., I wonder as to who translated the Bani of Kabeer ji in Gurmukhi. Anyways, It is nice sabad.

Sikh80 · 11-12-2007, 03:23 PM

Naam the Ultimate Liberator and the Goal of Life
Naam literally means, the Name(singular). A fuller definition of the word can only be found within the Guru Granth Sahib itself. Naam is God’s Word, or the Divine Essence. Etymologically, the word has a striking resemblance with the Greek neumena or the Bright Essence as opposed to phenomena. Naam is not merely the ‘Name of God’ as is commonly believed; it symbolizes the Being of God filling all Creation. Naam is also referred to as Shabad in the SGGS.

Where there was no creation, there was nothing in existence – no air, light, water, earth or space. God existed alone in deep meditation and self absorption. When God willed for the manifestations of his values, He created universes, worlds and all material and other living beings by uttering a single Word. His Word is all pervasive and the sole source of all Creation; the Word created the universes and supports and sustains all things within them. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib further enlightens us that God’s Word turned into waves of light, rays of which are present in all creatures and all other parts of His creation. This is consistent with a fundamental principle of physics that sound vibrations, when increased several fold, change into waves of light.

This Essence / Naam / Shabad / Logus is formless, colorless, and featureless but, as said, is present in all creation. There is no plant, no creature, in what it is not. The Earth and other heavenly bodies exist because there is Naam in this universe and when God withdraws this Naam from this Universe, there are natural calamities (Parloh / Mahaparloh) all over the universe and this is the time that the universe perishes and all the living creatures perish. Being so, the Essence can’t be seen or visualised by the mind. We can see only the physical dimension of Reality in God’s Creation – mountains, plants, trees, creatures etc. Thus the Outer Shell of Reality holds us (the appearances delude us) and we cannot penetrate deeper to experience the all pervading Reality. The physical dimensions of Reality (the outer shell) is always in flux; it keeps changing. While birth, death, creation, destruction etc. occur in the physical dimensions of creation, the Essence, being Sat (Sat-Naam) never changes, it transcends space and time.

We cannot focus our mind or attention on God, who is Absolute, the invisible Essence. The Naam (SHABD), the Name of God is the only medium available to us for approaching Him.

The term Naam refers to 5 realms / domains / functional groups / aspects / phases of GOD's CREATION. A human being has to pass through first four realms and finally be accountable to GOD in the realm of SachKhand (literally 'TRUE Phase').

SachKhand is perceived to be a realm where GOD seeks account of TRUTHs & Falsities earned by the soul during one's life. Based on this account, GOD rules out disposal of each individual soul for times to come. Truthful souls become part of GOD for ever & never ever get into the cycle of rebirth.

Others not having fared well & having lived life as per their own(& not as per GOD's prewritten commandments which accompanied the soul when it was born as a human being.) will are recycled back to be born again as a 'non human' being.

The soul thereafter stays in the cycle of death & rebirth as per GOD's Scheme of things. GOD willing, he gets born as human being again and the soul gets another chance to fare well this time by staying in harmony with GOD's commandments through the human life span & so on..

TRUE essence of the meaning of Naam can only be realized by believing in & understanding the teachings of SGGS. All who get Naam from the 'Shabad Guru' intuitively discard Falsehood & earn the wealth of Naam through one's life time. When we earn Naam, our soul starts responding to it. It is through Naam that we are able to think of Him, remember Him & live life as per His (& not our own )WILL (ie: Manmukh v Gurmukh).

In other words, the Naam is God Himself, subjected to our limited powers of perception and thought and to the capacities of our body and mind. Because we are endowed with the capacity to utter and attentively listen, the continuous recitation of and attentive listening to the Naam (Gurbani) focuses our mind on the object of invocation, resulting in a ceaseless remembrance of God (DHYAAN). This Dhyaan, in turn, results in complete absorption of our consciousness on the thought of God, who responds to our earnest invocation and He reveals Himself in our inner being.

The revelation of the Essence of Reality within us is the revelation of Naam. When the revelation of Naam occurs within, the devotee sees the Essence of God pervading throughout His Creation.

Gurus have taught that their teachings are for all the religion ( varnas )and all have the right to get the teachings of the Gurus.

To Initiate our soul so that it starts towards the ultimate goal (SACHKHAND) a person has to repeatedly and continuously earn the wealth of Naam, and to cherish it in the heart all the time – this is the essence of prayer and devotion to God.

In Gurbani, the word Gurshabad or [[Shabad] is synonymous with Naam. Without ceaselessly earning the wealth of Naam, God cannot be realised.

Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)

Source:
Satnam - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia.

Randip Singh · 12-12-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sikh80

Goal Of Human Life

Man's creation could not have been meaningless. It is difficult to affirm what God had in mind when He created man. But one thing is certain that human life offers a great opportunity for development.

There are three parts to man - the body, the mind, and the soul. The individual should develop all these three aspects. For bodily development, he must earn his livelihood and follow the laws of health. For the development of the mind, he must study and educate himself and cultivate his intellect, for interpreting the mysteries of life and nature. For the development of the soul, he should follow a course of strict moral discipline.

According to Sikhism, the individual soul has arrived to the human form after going through innumerable cycles of birth and death. Now at last it may try for the final spiritual evolution, so that it may be freed from further transmigration and return to its source.
The body must be sustained and maintained because it is 'the house of the soul' and so temple of God. God and the individual soul are in essence one and the same. Man regards himself as a separate entity because of egoism. When the wall of egoism is broken man realizes his identity with God.

God's destiny for man is for him to realize God's immortal aspirations through his mortal frame, by leading a pure life with and through his physical body, coupled with his own intellectual development. Unfortunately, man is totally obsessed with material things: clothes, food, ornaments, comforts and luxuries. He neglects the things of the spirit. He wastes his precious life in frivolity and makes no effort towards God-realization.

Life is like a game of cards. The cards are given to the player; it is up to the player to play the game well or badly, wisely or foolishly. God is watching us. He is keenly interested in our efforts to do our best. Human life is neither a bondage nor prison but rather a vehicle to spiritual attainment.
The goal of human life is, to try, to integrate the individual personality with God.
Introduction to Sikhism - Section III: Principles?

For me as a Sikh the Guru's message is simple in terms of my goal.

1) Be a Gurmukh.

2) Achieve one by controlling 5 thieves, Kaam , Krodh, mOh ,Lobh and Hankaar.

3) Control 2) by using Santokh, Sabr etc.

Sikh80 · 12-12-2007, 02:56 PM

Yes, Sir,
As usual you should be right. One should get over ego that is stated to be the biggest hurdle in the process of 'yog'.One should have some other virtues besides contentment. This is as per standard text books.e.g.
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)

Contentment, Compassion,Humility and Love.

Sikhs do have them in plenty.
Regards ,Sir

Sikh80 · 12-12-2007, 03:15 PM

I am enlisting below some of the 'tuks' about gurmukhs for ready reference as well.

Since you are here only I am posting the followings from the 'Sukhmani sahib ji'.It describes at one place the Gurmukh and some attributes and qualities .

gauVI mhlw 1 ] (227-12)
Gauree, First Mehl: Gurmukhs
bolih swcu imiQAw nhI rweI ] (227-12, gauVI, mÚ 1)
They speak the Truth - not an iota of falsehood.
cwlih gurmuiK hukim rjweI ] (227-12, gauVI, mÚ 1)
The Gurmukhs walk in the Way of the Lord's Command.
rhih AqIq scy srxweI ]1] (227-12, gauVI, mÚ 1)
They remain unattached, in the Sanctuary of the True Lord. ||1||
sc Gir bYsY kwlu n johY ] (227-13, gauVI, mÚ 1)
They dwell in their true home, and Death does not touch them.

gurmuiK syvw pRwn ADwrw ] (229-18, gauVI, mÚ 3)
Selfless service is the support of the breath of life of the Gurmukh.
gurmuiK ivchu haumY jwie ] (230-1, gauVI, mÚ 3)
The Gurmukh eradicates egotism from within.
gurmuiK mYlu n lwgY Awie ] (230-1, gauVI, mÚ 3)
No filth sticks to the Gurmukh.

gurmuiK krm Drm sic hoeI ] (230-2, gauVI, mÚ 3)
Through karma and Dharma, good actions and righteous faith, the Gurmukh becomes true.

gurmuiK Ailpq rhy ilv lweI ]5] (230-13, gauVI, mÚ 3)
The Gurmukhs remain detached, and lovingly attune themselves to the Lord. ||5||

gurmuiK myly Awpu gvwey ] (232-18, gauVI, mÚ 3)
The Gurmukhs shed their ego, and merge with the Lord.

gurmuiK Bgiq Bwau Duin hoeI ] (415-17, Awsw, mÚ 1)
The Gurmukh shows his love through loving devotional worship.
squ sMqoKu sBu scu hY gurmuiK pivqw ] (512-2, gUjrI kI vwr, mÚ 3)
The Gurmukh is totally truthful, content and pure.
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
AMdrhu kptu ivkwru gieAw mnu shjy ijqw ] (512-2, gUjrI kI vwr, mÚ 3)
Deception and wickedness have departed from within him, and he easily conquers his mind.
gurmuiK ijs no Awip kry so hoie ] (560-2, vfhMsu, mÚ 3)
He alone becomes Gurmukh, whom the Lord so blesses.
gurmuiK sbdu scu krxI swru ] (560-3, vfhMsu, mÚ 3)
The Gurmukh lives the True Word of the Shabad, and practices good deeds.

BUT
jn nwnk kotn mY iknhU gurmuiK hoie pCwnw ]2]2] (685-2, DnwsrI, mÚ 9)
Read More:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18405 (Goal of Human Life)
O servant Nanak, among millions, only a rare few, as Gurmukh, realize God.

There should be some others that I have not included.

Sikh80 · 13-12-2007, 03:00 AM

In nutshell the goal of human life will be God realization and 'jog'.One should be a perfect human being and should be engaged in HIS devotional worship. This is the best job and highest Karma in this life.

Sikh80 · 01:17 PM

Gateway to Sikhism : Sikhism FAQs:What is the goal of human life?

Sinister · 13-12-2007, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sikh80

Dear friend ,

I think that one can analyse the goal of life from two angles :

1.within the periphery of Sikhism and sprituality.

and

2. The second being as a Human being who knows nothing about what was there before the Birth and what it would be after the death.

If one makes an assumption to follow the second route ,it is felt that one will feel lost and shall not be able to rationally think as to who we are and why we are here and where will we be going after death. In the second stage there is no answer. One will be driven insane if one accepts the second proposition. It would be toatlly illogical. I am not saying as a protagonist of sikhi but as a ordinary human being. In this state one will be required to take the bearings. One will have to establish the value system for one self and one may go weird in this procees. Having no faith to recourse to it is difficult to have an objective view point of anything. It is only when we identify with something that is established and fairly stable that one gets some comfort.

i accept the second route and im not insane. How do you explain that?
Not only I but A huge population accept the second route and they form some of the most culturally rich countries in the world.

Your logic is misguided because you have internalized religious propaganda. Humanism for me has all the answers, just like sikhism has all the answers for you (a position that should be equally respected...rather than labelling someone else is beleifs as agents of insanity). In humanism the part where you cannot conjure answers you simply state; "i do not know" instead of manufacturing a god. Your development of morality is independant of your belief in God.

Have you ever heard of altruism? If you study human social evolution you would know that doing "the right thing" is rational and is just one of many factors in human evolution.
Altruism: The selfless concern for the welfare of others.

let me show you a video
YouTube - An Atheist's 10 Commandments

and if your primary reason for turning to religion is for "comfort"...then that is well and good. I personally turn to my love for family and freinds and gardening for comfort, not religion. In fact whenever I examine religion I feel the least comfortable, all it can effectively achieve is to wind me up with more questions. especially when i start to read bani.

cheers

Sikh80 · 13-12-2007, 06:37 AM

Yes, You are right.
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Everyone has one's choice in these matters.
Regards

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