'Ik Onkar' there is only one Creator

Learning to restore the lost ‘Ik’ in our lives

Humanity celebrates Guru Nanak Devji Gurpurab (553 birth anniversary) on 8th November. In our celebrations we learn more about Guru Sahebji messages and teachings that applies universally to mankind and not just His followers called Sikhs, meaning disciple/learner.

An interesting peek into a Guru Nanak Dev ji Janam Sakhi (literally, life story or biography) describing His communion with God, receiving the robe of honor from the hands of God Himself and who revealed to him the ‘Divine Reality’.

“Nanak I am with thee. Through thee will my name be magnified. Whosoever follows Thee, him will I save. Go into the world to pray and teach mankind how to pray. Be not sullied by the ways of the world. Let your life be one of praise of the Word (naam), charity (daan), ablution (isnaan), service (seva) and prayer (simran). Nanak, I give thee my pledge. Let this be thy life’s mission. The voice further conveyed ‘Nanak he whom you bless will be blessed by Me; he to whom you are benevolent shall receive My benevolence”.

Guru Nanak Dev ji travels were called Udasis. On 5 occasions between the period 1500-1524 he travelled on foot covering 28000 kilometers, visiting 9 countries as per today’s global mapping.

Guru Sahebji preached the new concept of God as ‘Supreme”. All powerful and Truthful - Formless (Nirankar) - Fearless (Nirbhau) - Without hate (Nirvair) - The sole (Ik) - The self-existent (Saibhanj) - The Incomprehensible and Everlasting Creator of all things (Karta Purakh) and the Eternal and Absolute Truth (Satnam).

Guru Nanak Devji confronted the citadel of the Hindu Caste System and condemned the theocracy of Mughal rulers. He began teaching a faith that was distinct from Hinduism and Islam. Nine living Gurus followed Guru Nanak Dev ji and developed the Sikh faith over the centuries. The last living Guru Gobind Singh ji finalized and enshrined the Guru Granth Saheb ji as Sikhism’s primary scripture and the Eternal Guru after him.

There are 974 poetic hyms of Guru Nank Devji in Guru Granth Sahebji.

‘Ik Onkar' (there is one God) beginning words of the Sikh Holy scriptures and a part of the Mool Mantra. These two words are considered the most important component in Sikhism. Misunderstanding the very first word ‘Ik’ has made God a distant concept for many.

Guru Nanak Devji did not believe in God, He ‘Knew God’. Believing in God often works as a concept that He is somewhere up there, an idea that He remains far away. How to know God, How to feel and see Him is what Guru Nanak Dev ji wanted humanity to know.

Guru Nanak’s ji message of ‘Ik’ is about the oneness of the creator; ‘Ik’ is Him, ‘Ik’ is you, ‘Ik’ is all His creations; universe, mountain, skies, all living - creatures, air, water etc. An understanding of ‘Ik’ makes you realize you are an absolute miniscule in His vast creation. We need to lose a little bit of ourselves by getting rid of the houme the ‘I’ factor. If the ‘I Am’ is trying to find God, the ‘I’ cannot find God. As long as you exist, God will never be a reality for you.

Gurbani says ‘Jab Ham Hothe Tab Tum Nahee Ab tum Hau Hum Nahee.

When I was, then you were not, Now that you are, I am not.

Gurmat actively encourages us to look at everything not as multiple different things but a reality of ‘Ik’ oneness, in different forms. Separating ‘Ik’ humans have done enough to pollute, harm, damage and destroy Godly Creations including their own kind. The Gurus knew humans would need help due to their indulgence to worldly distractions and their misinterpretations of God finding. Hence they have in Gurbani many shabads as teachings in Knowing God and understanding His wisdom and way of life.

Continuing with our Gurpurab celebrations, part 2 on Tuesday 8th November.