Where is God? Never the Dark Night of the Soul

Narayanjot Kaur · #1 (**permalink**) 05-Jan-2009, 08:47 AM

Where is God?

It is hard to believe but nonetheless true that many a saintly person has experienced what is called the "dark night of the soul." A deeply painful and lasting sense that God has abandoned them even in the moments of their greatest faith and spiritual experience. One of those individuals was Mother Teresa, who spent her most productive years rescuing the sick and dying, and ministering to them, yet feeling that she had lost connection with the Creator. Many of those who followed her ministry never knew that she wandered from spiritual adivsor to another in her own faith looking for spiritual healing. Sisters who worked with her spoke of how they felt the nearness of God; she felt it for only a brief time and then the closeness disappeared. This sense of loss, the dark night of the soul, diminished in time close to her death, but never completely left her.

In Sikhism we have been taught by Guru Nanak Dev that kirtaan is a path to finding Waheguru. Bhai Amardeep Singh in his article Musical Framework of Guru Granth Sahib said, the shabad " communicates a message to the mind," and the raag " conveys a feeling to the heart and is therefore universal. Spirituality, after all, is striking the right balance between mind and heart... Every raag is capable of touching the heart with feelings like joy, sorrow, detachment, etc."

Guru Amar Das said, " ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਕਰਹ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਸੁਣਹ ਤਿਸੁ ਕਵਲਾ ਕੰਤਾ ॥ har keerathan kareh har jas suneh this kavalaa kanthaa ||
I sing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises, and I listen to the Praises of the Lord, the Master of wealth and Maya." Then kirtaan is a path that will lead us to God. The sound waves of the Gurmat Raags connect the mind, body, and spirit by alignment of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual entities. They implant in the psyche the basis for both spiritual and mental growth. To see a Sikh congregation chant the sacred hymns in unison is to see massed spiritual energy bubble before your eyes. This is how the ordinary words change into the logos and become auspicious. http://www.searchgurbani.com/main.ph...n&action=index When the shabad connects with music then spiritual transformation becomes possible. Each shabad is placed with a corresponding raag. The shabad below is in raag Aasaa which communicates a strong feeling of Hope -- so that our awareness of the presence of God is never lost.

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥
aasaa mehalaa 3 ||
Aasaa, Third Mehl:

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਗੁਣ ਊਪਜੈ ਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਲੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
sathigur thae gun oopajai jaa prabh maelai soe ||
Merit is obtained from the True Guru, when God causes us to meet Him.

ਸਹਜੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥
sehajae naam dhhiaaeeai giaan paragatt hoe ||1||
Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, with intuitive ease and poise, spiritual wisdom is revealed. ||1||

ਏ ਮਨ ਮਤ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੈ ਸਦਾ ਵੇਖੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥
eae man math jaanehi har dhoor hai sadhaa vaekh hadhoor ||
O my mind, do not think of the Lord as being far away; behold Him ever close at hand.

ਸਦ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਸਦ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/23768-where-god-never-dark-night-soul.html
sadh sunadhaa sadh vaekhadhaa sabadh rehiaa bharapoor ||1|| rehaao ||
He is always listening, and always watching over us; the Word of His Shabad is all-pervading everywhere. ||1||Pause||

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥
guramukh aap pashhaaniaa thinhee eik man dhhiaaeiaa ||
The Gurmukhs understand their own selves; they meditate single-mindedly on the Lord.

ਸਦਾ ਰਵਹਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਸਚੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੨॥
sadhaa ravehi pir aapanaa sachai naam sukh paaeiaa ||2||
They enjoy their Husband Lord continually; through the True Name, they find peace. ||2||

ਏ ਮਨ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
eae man thaeraa ko nehee kar vaekh sabadh veechaar ||
O my mind, no one belongs to you; contemplate the Shabad, and see this.

ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਭਜਿ ਪਉ ਪਾਇਹਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥੩॥
har saranaaee bhaj po paaeihi mokh dhuaar ||3||
So run to the Lord's Sanctuary, and find the gate of salvation. ||3||

ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਸਬਦਿ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਸਚਿ ਰਹੈ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
sabadh suneeai sabadh bujheeai sach rehai liv laae ||
Listen to the Shabad, and understand the Shabad, and lovingly focus your consciousness on the True One.

ਸਬਦੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਸਚੈ ਮਹਲਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇ ॥੪॥
sabadhae houmai maareeai sachai mehal sukh paae ||4||
Through the Shabad, conquer your ego, and in the True Mansion of the Lord's Presence, you shall find peace. ||4||

ਇਸੁ ਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਸੋਭਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਸੋਭ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
eis jug mehi sobhaa naam kee bin naavai sobh n hoe ||
In this age, the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is glory; without the Name, there is no glory.

ਇਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਚਾਰਿ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਜਾਦੀ ਬਿਲਮੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥
eih maaeiaa kee sobhaa chaar dhihaarrae jaadhee bilam n hoe ||5||
The glory of this Maya lasts for only a few days; it disappears in an instant. ||5||

ਜਿਨੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਸੇ ਮੁਏ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥
jinee naam visaariaa sae mueae mar jaahi ||
Those who forget the Naam are already dead, and they continue dying.

ਹਰਿ ਰਸ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਹਿ ॥੬॥
har ras saadh n aaeiou bisattaa maahi samaahi ||6||
They do not enjoy the sublime essence of the Lord's taste; they sink into the manure. ||6||

ਇਕਿ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਅਨੁ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਨਾਮੇ ਲਾਇ ॥
eik aapae bakhas milaaeian anadhin naamae laae ||
Some are forgiven by the Lord; He unites them with Himself, and keeps them attached to the Naam, night and day.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23768

ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਸਚਿ ਰਹਹਿ ਸਚੇ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਹਿ ॥੭॥
sach kamaavehi sach rehehi sachae sach samaahi ||7||
They practice Truth, and abide in Truth; being truthful, they merge into Truth. ||7||

ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਨ ਦੇਖੀਐ ਜਗੁ ਬੋਲਾ ਅੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਭਰਮਾਇ ॥
bin sabadhai suneeai n dhaekheeai jag bolaa annhaa bharamaae ||
Without the Shabad, the world does not hear, and does not see; deaf and blind, it wanders around.

ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਸੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਿਸੈ ਰਜਾਇ ॥੮॥
bin naavai dhukh paaeisee naam milai thisai rajaae ||8||
Without the Naam, it obtains only misery; the Naam is received only by His Will. ||8||

ਜਿਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਆ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
jin baanee sio chith laaeiaa sae jan niramal paravaan ||
Those persons who link their consciousness with the Word of His Bani, are immaculately pure, and approved by the Lord.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਸੇ ਦਰਿ ਸਚੇ ਜਾਣੁ ॥੯॥੧੩॥੩੫॥
naanak naam thinhaa kadhae n veesarai sae dhar sachae jaan ||9||13||35||
O Nanak, they never forget the Naam, and in the Court of the Lord, they are known as true. ||9||13||35||

Guru Amar Das Dev ji
Ang 428/9

pk70 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-Jan-2009, 09:20 AM

Aad Jio
You have well stated the difference found in Gurmat regarding realization of the Lord
Towards the Lord, the follower is guided by the one who experienced Him-Guru
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਗੁਣ ਊਪਜੈ ਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਲੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23768
sathigur thae gun oopajai jaa prabh maelai soe ||
Merit is obtained from the True Guru, when God causes us to meet Him.
What happens then?
ਸਹਜੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23768
sehajae naam dhhiaaeeai giaan paragatt hoe ||1||
Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, with intuitive ease and poise, spiritual wisdom is revealed. ||1||
Divine knowledge works as a lift towards the Lord who actually is not away but just not realized due to self created walls. Divine knowledge tears apart it. A window is opened, every thing becomes crystal clear, all pervading becomes visible.
ਏ ਮਨ ਮਤ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੈ ਸਦਾ ਵੇਖੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥
eae man math jaanehi har dhoor hai sadhaa vaekh hadhoor ||
O my mind, do not think of the Lord as being far away; behold Him ever close at hand.
ਸਦ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਸਦ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
sadh sunadhaa sadh vaekhadhaa sabadh rehiaa bharapoor ||1|| rehaao ||
He is always listening, and always watching over us; the Word of His Shabad is all-pervading everywhere. ||1||Pause||

So what is the secret? Here it is:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥
guramukh aap pashhaaniaa thinhee eik man dhhiaaeiaa ||
The Gurmukhs understand their own selves; they meditate single-mindedly on the Lord.

pk70 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-Jan-2009, 00:00 AM

Gurbani is very much clear about what is more important to realize God.

ਤੀਰਥੁ ਤਪੁ ਦਇਆ ਦਤੁ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji4)
Ŧirath ṯap ḏa▫i▫ā ḏaṯ ḏān.
Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity -
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਪਾਵੈ ਤਿਲ ਕਾ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
Je ko pāvai ṯil kā mān.
these, by themselves, bring only an iota of merit.
To be merged with Him, soul treads on a path to acquire all virtues that makes worthy of Him, to please own self or others, any thing done, is not enough

ਇਸਨਾਨੁਦਾਨੁ ਜੇਤਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥
Isnān ḏān jeṯā karahi ḏūjai bẖā▫e kẖu▫ār.
they take their cleansing baths, and give to charity again and again, but they are ultimately consumed by their love of duality.
ਮਃ 3
ਰਸਨਾ ਉਚਰੈ ਗੁਣਵਤੀ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪੁਜੈਦਾਨੁ ॥(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 49)
रसना उचरै गुणवती कोइ न पुजै दानु ॥
The tongue which chants these Praises is worthy; there is no charity equal to this.
ਮਃ 5
ਪੁੰਨਦਾਨਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਚੇ ਕਿਆ ਤਾਸੁ ॥(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji56)
Punn ḏān cẖang▫ā▫ī▫ā bin sācẖe ki▫ā ṯās.
you may give donations to charity, and perform good deeds, but without the True One, what is the use of it all?
ਮਃ 1 -

All stress is to live in His Love by remaining imbued with the Lord, nothing is better or equal to His Naam Simran, then all good deeds become a way of life

ਊਠਤ ਬੈਠਤ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗਾਈਐ ॥ (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 109)
Ūṯẖaṯ baiṯẖaṯ har har gā▫ī▫ai.
Standing up and sitting down, I sing the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.

ਜਿਸੁ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਵਰੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥
Jis simraṯ var nihcẖal pā▫ī▫ai.
Meditating in remembrance on Him, I obtain my Eternal Husband Lord.
ਹਰਿ ਪੇਖਨ ਕਉਸਿਮਰਤ ਮਨੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥(204)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23768
Har pekẖan ka▫o simraṯ man merā.
My mind yearns to behold the Lord in meditation.
ਮਃ 5
ਬਿਨੁਸਿਮਰਨ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਾਸ ॥(239)
Bin simran ḏẖarig karam karās.
Without meditating in remembrance on the Lord, one's actions and works are cursed.
ਮਃ 5
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ ॥(263)
Parabẖ kā simran sabẖṯe ūcẖā.
The remembrance of God is the highest and most exalted of all.
ਮਃ 5
ਰਾਮਨਾਮਰੰਗਿ ਰਤਿਆ ਭਾਰੁ ਨ ਭਰਮੁ ਤਿਨਾਹ ॥(23)
Rām nām rang raṯi▫ā bẖār na bẖaram ṯināh.
Those who are imbued with the love of the Name of the Lord are not loaded down by doubt.
ਮਃ 1 -
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23768
ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥(33)
Jaṯ saṯ sanjam nām hai viṇ nāvai nirmal na ho▫e.
The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is abstinence, truthfulness, and self-restraint. Without the Name, no one becomes pure.
ਮਃ 3
ਮਨਿ ਨਿਰਮਲਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਤਾ ਪਾਏ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥੨॥(33)
Man nirmal nām ḏẖi▫ā▫ī▫ai ṯā pā▫e mokẖḏu▫ār. ||2||
Meditating on the Naam with a pure mind, the Door of Liberation is found. ||2||