Dear All,
Here are my two cents on the subject under discussion;
NIRVANA/ ਜੀਵਨ–ਮੁਕਤੁ
ABSTRACT
Nirvana in Sikh thought is a state of poise reached through the stage of enlightenment or the fourth state/ਤੁਰੀਆਵਸਥਾ. It is the end in itself for a serious seeker of spirituality and comes with discerning intellect (ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੁੱਧੀ) by following the teachings contained in Sabd Guru and define Nirvana in the phrase “Dead while Alive” (ਜੀਵਨ-ਮੁਕਤੁ). This state cannot be described says Guru Amardas in Raag Bilawal.
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Nirvana IMHO is liberation from ignorance, illusion, doubt, duality, ego, and or dying in to the Word, or awakening to the teachings. It is the evolvement of a state of equipose with complete tranquility of mind, while still alive.
Of course no one knows what happens after death. But while we are still alive, Nirvana can be achieved through Divine knowledge. There is no way to prove this. The only option is to accept it as a matter of faith. Understanding concepts such as salvation is not easy at present. Implicit in it is the notion that there was a before, during and after as part of this stipulation.
The need for nirvana rests upon a surprising and apparently enduring fact, the fact of contradiction in the inner life. We all tend to begin, as Socrates did, with the assumption that wickedness is a matter of ignorance, and we often hold that, if a man really knows what is good, he is sure to do it.
We all know of sweet and beautiful lives ruined by explosive tempers, lack of poise in character, ending in bad blood. How few people we meet in life seem to be well balanced, having that exquisite poise which is characteristic of a refined character! A growth in spirituality animates a different kind of wisdom from the higher worlds to those who dwell here below. Through growth in spirituality this flow of spiritual vitality occurs upon following the esoteric principles enshrined in AGGS. People of other faiths can similarly follow the precepts for good deeds according to their own religions. Thus, any one on this earth making the effort can be blessed by spiritual wisdom or so called nirvana in life.
Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only the wise individual, whose thoughts are controlled, purified, and is blessed by the Grace of Akal Purkh, makes the winds and the storms of the mind obey him. Tempest-tossed souls, wherever you may be, under whatsoever conditions you may live, know this in the ocean of life (ਭਵਜਲ), the isles of Blessedness, Grace, are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought, as in the bark of your mind reclines the commanding Master; but sleep: wake It and follow Its command and Will. “Thy Will be done”. Right Thought is mastery; calmness is power, and this ranquility is a prelude to the state of nirvana.
After all is said and done, nirvana/liberation/salvation is the state of equipoise developed with dedication, and service, that one enjoys the divine bliss in this life. It comes with the development of virtues and treating every one as equal.
The religious man, believing as he does in the spiritual nature of God and in the spiritual nature of man, soon discovers that he has two selves. One is the present actual self, narrow, confused, and self-contradictory; the other is the Real Self which a man may see but dimly hidden under the veil of ego (ਹਉਮੈ), but which he soon realizes is his greatest possession gained through the teachings of Sabd Guru or The Word. Mind is all inclusive of conscious and unconscious processes and is the seat of Cause of Causes. This is the place where all interchanges take place.
Conclusion:
Nirvana is achieved when the individual consciousness is absorbed in to the Universal Consciousness in Divine bliss while alive. This is very difficult state but can be achieved by contemplation, deliberation, reflection, prayer, meditation, devotional Divine love, accepting Divine Will, and application of these principles in daily life with individual effort (ਉਦਮ). This state of tranquility is explained beautifully by Guru Tegh Bahadur in Raag Sorath.
Bibliography;
1. Guru Nanak, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 903-14
2. Guru Amardas, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 796-19
3. Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 412-17
4. Guru Nanak, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 904-4
5. Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1009-19
6. Guru Amardas, Gujri Ki Var, AGGS, Page, 509-16, 17, 18 & 19
7. Kabir Slokes 58 & 59, AGGS, Page, 1367-10,11 & 12
8. Guru Tegh Bahadur, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 633
Cordially,
Virinder S. Grewal