Satguru Kabir Saheb has taught us to see a reflection of ourselves in each and every other human being. He explains, through the concept of oneness, how we all come from the same source and how the same life-force binds us all together. But physically speaking, we are distinct physical beings. What is it then that can be the common factor that can connect us all in oneness? What is it that we have within us that can make us recognize this nature of ours? And is not that nature of ours the same as the source? LOVE is that bond which supersedes all other qualities to connect us all. Those who dare to express it fearlessly are the ones who will also experience God.
Satguru Kabir Saheb has been referred to by some as the weaver of God’s name. We all know that He was weaving cloth, which in itself is a very intricate job involving delicately assembling thin threads of cotton into a piece of cloth. This act demonstrates how individual cotton threads of similar nature are all brought together to make a complete piece of cloth which is of greater use than the individual threads themselves. Similarly, Satguru Kabir Saheb explains that we are all made of the same qualities, have the same life-force flowing, and share the same space. How we use our qualities is what makes the difference in our progress to our source. In one of his famous saakhees, Satguru Kabir Saheb says :
“Yaha Tatt Vaha Tatt Ek Hai, Ak Praan Duee Gaat; Apne Jiya Se Jaaniye, Mere Jiya Ki Baat.”
In other words, there is no difference between two human beings; by seeing yourself as a reflection in the other being’s self you will understand that there exists only one soul. One soul which is the universal consciousness, God consciousness. Love is the quality which can make someone realize this oneness and allow him to acknowledge the oneness pervading the whole universe.
It is a pity that there are so many disputes in the world, most of which in the name of religion, although all religions teach peace and love, if their doctrines are well interpreted. Satguru Kabir Saheb preached the religion of humanity, that is, all human beings belong to only one religion which is mankind. If we cannot live together in harmony, then seeking God is of no use. How can we think of attaining God when we have not been able to see His existence in the form of His creation? Once we have been able to find Him in everyone and everything, then our own existence is subdued to His universal presence. We are just a part of Him; acknowledging Him in others is possible through love. Not seeing others as many, but as part of the same whole which we also form part of, eliminates the barriers erected by man’s own creation of different religions.
“Jab Main Thaa Tab Hari Nahin, Ab Hari Hai Main Naahin; Prem Gali Ati Sankari, Taamen Do Naa Samaahin.”
Once upon a time there was a tailor who was very skilled in stitching clothes. One day when he was at work, his son was watching him. He took a pair of new, shining scissors, cut a piece of cloth into several pieces, and then put the scissors down on the ground. Thereafter, he took his needle, threaded it, and started stitching the pieces into a shirt. Every time he finished stitching a part of the shirt, he very safely tucked the needle on his turban. As he continued, he always tucked the needle on his turban. Watching this process, his son was puzzled and asked him : “ How come you put the scissors, which is so precious and expensive down on the ground, as if it is not worth anything, but you are placing the needle, which can be obtained very cheaply, on your head?” The tailor replied : “Even the scissors are very expensive, its only job is to cut into pieces. The scissors cannot join together the pieces it has cut. However, the needle although small and very cheap has the ability to unite so many small pieces together. The job of the needle cannot be compared with that of the scissors.” In other words, the respect given to the needle surpasses by far the scissors, whose place is on the ground. The needle is given a special place of honor by being put on the head.
We are all equipped with scissors and needles. The way we think, speak and act determine how we use our faculty to cut or join. How we express love in each and everything we do is what matters. If we can use our needles gently to bring together one and all to make only one big whole, we will be fulfilling God’s wish. We will be getting closer and closer to that One whole, that One universal consciousness, that Supreme source which we all belong to and where we should all be going back to. Let us all endeavor to pursue our real objective and foster union.
