When we look at the Mission’s logo – the globe held between two hands – we can see that it is symbolic of the world firmly placed in divine hands. For however damaging the present pandemic appears to be, the entire earth is very much protected and blessed. However, we as responsible citizens must also abide by every safeguarding protocol not just to contain the pandemic, which is proliferating through new strains, but also to help stop it all together.
Science and Spirituality
The mandate for establishing a covid-secure environment is scientific, but the protection and immunity we seek is also a spiritual endeavour. Scientifically, we are to make every effort to regularly wash our hands, make use of masks in public spaces, and continue to keep our distance from each other. Spiritually, we are to keep together, even when standing apart, and accept that whatever happens always happens for a reason – even if it is not apparent. Spiritually, we are to be model citizens – we are to focus on keeping ourselves safe, but also prioritising the safety of others. For, it is not just our well-being that is important, but the well-being of the world at large. Now is the time to give new meaning to John Wesley’s phrase cleanliness is next to Godliness.
The Sant Nirankari Mission has been making strides in cleaning public spaces for quite some time. The initiative to remove discarded litter and to wash down railway stations, hospitals, beaches and other neglected public areas started long before the advent of covid-19. Now it is up to us as individuals to do whatever we can to help and assist others within our communities and neighbourhoods – especially when the usual support networks and faith centres are inaccessible to so many.
The fact that we are forced to stay indoors, we may take this opportunity to pause, introspect and cleanse ourselves internally of any accumulated mental pollution. As we associate with the material world, we are subject to the effect of the cardinal sins, be they the five1 of the East or the seven2 of the West. The ‘invisible enemy’, whichever form it takes, is best combatted with Invisible Energy, the Almighty God, which is the panacea for all ills. It is exactly this Invisible Energy that Her Holiness Mata Sudikshaji, helps us to see with the experience of Brahm Gyan (the Gnostic light). While this global pandemic is the consequence of man’s actions (whether it is a laboratory leak or some mutation caused in wet-markets), the Divine Plan (Leela) is to purify both our internal and external worlds to bring balance and stability into life.
Social Responsibility
Amongst the five principles, the Mission’s fourth principle solidifies our focus on spirituality through practical living. It stresses on the fact that our responsibilities towards our family, career, health and faith should all be honoured within society. We are to live our lives in accordance with social norms, sustaining our family by honest livelihood. We are never to renounce our hearth and home to find ourselves or seek God elsewhere. God can, indeed, be realised while playing our responsible role in society. All we need to do is to find the Satguru (who lives within society, not in some isolated wilderness), who can grant us the Gnostic Vision. This is what the Buddha calls the Middle Path.
Lockdown restrictions afford an opportunity to get back to basics in respect of our social roles and spiritual development. Our quality time spent at home can be conducive to strengthening our understanding and bond with family members – what can be more socially responsible, than creating a home life that is characterised by love, mutual respect and care for each other? Is this not a spiritual practice (Sadhana) within itself? When such a blue-print is generated at home, it naturally replicates within the wider social interactions each family member has outside. We can also return to the simplicity that epitomised the spiritual era of Baba Avtar Singhji. How would he comment on the current predicament? Would Babaji not ask us to use the circumstances at hand to sit together in worship (Satsang / Guru Charcha), deepen our awareness of Nirankar through praying together as a family (Simran) and offer generous care and love to one another through acts of kindness and service (Seva)? We can use the time given to strength our sense of devotion (Bhakti), from the platform of our very homes.
The Five Elements
For a stable and healthy life, the five elements – ether, air, fire, water and earth -, of which we are all made, must be fully balanced. Every element must be fully taken care of. For any deficiency in any one element renders the whole body imbalanced.
As 72% of our body is made of water, it is important to keep it fully hydrated with pure and wholesome water that contains all the necessary minerals. 6% of the body is air, which can only be balanced by minimising the stress and anxiety in life through a calm state of mind, which may be supplemented by practices such as Pranayama (deep breathing), Yoga and Mindfulness. 6% of the body is fire – in other words life energy – which we acquire from the sun. This element is essential as it is the basis for thermoregulation and fuels the biochemical reactions that allow bodily processes to function and nerve pathways to light-up. Perhaps this is why we feel at ease when lighting a candle or sitting before a fire, as these practices connect us with this element. 12% of the body is earth, which we acquire from a variety of foods. What we eat is of the utmost importance. For all that we require in the way of sugars, starches, proteins, carbs, fats, oils, minerals and vitamins come from the element of earth. Food affects mood and well-being. The fifth element – ether – makes 4% of our body. It is the very subtle sub-stratum in which all the other four elements exist. Ether is the field of potential in which all forces and energies move and manifest. When we become more expansive and subtle in our awareness and understanding, this lends itself to a calm, composed and collected state of mind. This creates huge potentiality, which adds to the balance we need in ether. Listening to sound or music also helps with this process.
Personal Practice
During this pandemic, I go for walks or jogs while taking all the necessary safety precautions. I keep in touch with the 5 elements by walking on the grass, getting enough sunshine, breathing fresh air, listening to music and sipping water while walking through, and constantly being aware of this ocean of Cosmic Energy (Universal Intelligence) that is all around me and inside me.
I feel that science and spirituality are intertwined. In science, we experiment, observe, and look for evidence. In spiritually, we also have to experiment (with various paths or practices), observe (our thoughts) and look for evidence (by how we feel) to a certain extent. This is because what works for one individual may not work for another. As we are all on different stages of this spiritual journey, each one of us has to experiment, observe and see what works best for us, and most importantly make changes accordingly.
Spirituality is the process of eliminating our demonic or animal qualities by evolving or bringing out our pure divine or human qualities. Most of us are afraid of silence and being alone, constantly craving outside noise. During this pandemic, I feel it is a great opportunity for us not only to take a break from the external world, but to connect more authentically to the internal world. We must face our demons and evolve to the higher dimension that we as humans have the potential for. Such an endeavour yields a practical, balanced life. Such practice will help us get through this difficult period in human history, and find ourselves more resilient and grateful, on the other side.
– Anuj Gautama
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