Only when we realise the value of life can we live the real purpose of our existence. From traditional academic learning, life is scripted in a way that it follows what society has developed as acceptable norms and standards. But the value of life cannot be limited to the predetermined scripts which society has prepared for us. Being aware of our true identity and experiencing who we really are is only possible if we surrender ourselves to the vastness of God’s consciousness. Tapping into that consciousness is free, requires no material resources, and is available to everyone, rich or poor, young or old, man or woman.
Secular learning, which is the common requirement almost everywhere in the world, limits people to using material resources to learn and progress in life. But spiritual progression is experience-based and can only be fulfilled by having a Guru in one’s life. Many people misunderstand the importance of a Guru in their life by thinking that the Guru will do everything for them. Spiritual growth is something one should practice by himself so that he can experience the presence of God. The Guru is here to guide us; but more importantly it is the experience that one must have. To do that one must indulge in meditation, setting time for himself to regularly practice meditation. Only by going deep down within oneself can one fathom the vastness of Universal or God consciousness. We incarnate as human beings for that specific reason. No other life form can experience consciousness at that level.
By practicing regularly one becomes aware at all times of the presence of God in himself. Otherwise, we get bogged down to the physical nature of our being and spend time in satisfying our physical requirements only, forgetting our higher purpose in life. Satguru Kabir Saheb says:
“Jaaki Poonji Swaans Hai, Chin Awe Chin Jaay;
Taako Aisaa Chaahiye, Rahe Naam Law Laay.”
Those who consider their only wealth to be their breath should understand that this wealth comes and goes in seconds. Having acknowledged this, they must be absorbed in the name of God always.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
If the breath is our wealth, should we not take good care of it and maximise its benefits? If we confuse our real wealth to be material possessions, then we are not living the purpose of our existence. The time will come when we will take our last breath (last piece of wealth) and not have made good use of it.
What else do we use our breath for? As long as we have the breath, meaning as long as we are alive, we have consciousness. Using that consciousness to connect with Universal consciousness is what Satguru Kabir Saheb is teaching us here. Those breaths are our links to God. And those breaths permit us to connect with God through our consciousness. Satguru Kabir Saheb says:
“Swaans Suphal So Jaaniye, Jo Sumiran Men Jaay;
Aur Swaans Youn Hee Gaye, Kari Kari Bahut Upaay.” Only those breaths are meaningful which have been properly used to connect with God. There are so many breaths that we waste just in keeping away from our source, i.e. by going after worldly pursuits.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
It may seem difficult, but by living a spiritual life, we can achieve a level a consciousness which connects us permanently with our source. In everything we do, we just have to acknowledge the Higher Consciousness; this keeps us connected always.
There once was a village which was plagued with disease, famine, and people were in dire distress. It so happened that a Saint came to settle in that village. Since he came, he settled under a tree, doing meditation, and keeping to himself. After some time, things started improving in the village. People started to feel better, their quality of life started to improve. There also lived a rich merchant in that same village. He thought that the presence of the Saint in the village had to do with the improvements in the village. Even his life improved to a great extent. He decided to pay a visit to the Saint. So one day, he went to see the Saint with a bag full of gold coins. He offered the bag to the Saint and acknowledged his presence, thanked him. The Saint asked him why he was offering him gold. The merchant replied that he had lots more at home, and he wanted to thank the Saint. The Saint then asked him if he wanted to have more gold. The merchant replied affirmatively, saying that every day he prays so that he gets more and more gold. The Saint then gave him the bag back, and told him that he would not accept his gift. The merchant was disappointed and asked him why. The Saint then said “I cannot accept a gift from a beggar. I am already very contented with all what I have”. The merchant apologised to him, asked him for forgiveness and bowed to his feet. The Saint then taught him that our breath is the most valuable treasure we have. From that day, the merchant stopped being greedy; instead he started to use his material wealth to help others and still lived a good life.
By realising what our real wealth is, we can live our life’s true purpose and achieve our goal. Souls incarnating in the human plane of existence can stop the cycle of rebirths – only if they realise their true Self.
