Oneness

Available for 27 days

Good Morning. I was recently asked to give a talk about Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the Sikh Gurus. There is so much to say about Guru Nanak yet his message was very simple. However, the simplicity of it was quite revolutionary at the time - in the 15th century - a time in India of many conflicts, battles and unrest between people, communities, cultures and traditions. Fast-forward six centuries, and the Guru’s message is still as relevant and perhaps revolutionary today - as we are witnessing so much unrest, polarisation and conflict globally. Guru Nanak’s key message was expressed in the words Ik OanKar. Ik literally means One and Oneness. Ik OanKar means the One extended into all of creation. There is no real separation from God who breathes life into everything and this also means no separation from each other as we all come from the same source and the same divine breath of life. Guru Nanak also taught about the universal principle of “Nirvair” which means “no enemy.” The Guru spoke of how the idea of an “enemy” is an illusion constructed by the mind when we are not connected to the true reality of Oneness. But when connected, everyone becomes our friend and we act towards others in friendliness. My prayer is that we can release ourselves from false or limiting beliefs that turn the mind into a prison. Instead, may we remember to breathe more deeply, coming down from the head into the Mansion of the Divine within our heart, to know the One that resides within ourself and connects us to the One in everyone. Sat Naam