Living in His Presence

One of Guru Gobind Singh’s disciples, Bhai Kanhayya, who was responsible for the supply of drinking water to the Guru’s soldiers, was seen offering water to the enemy soldiers wounded in the battlefield. When the matter was reported to the Guru, he called Bhai Kanhayya immediately to explain his conduct before those who had charged him with treason. Bhai Kanhayya said, “My Lord, I am unable to distinguish enemies from friends. I see you in all of them – how can I refuse you a drink?”

Hearing this, the Guru said that Bhai Kanhayya had rightly under- stood his teachings and commented:

A person who has shed the veil of ignorance from his heart will treat everyone the same, whether Hindu or Muslim.
_{As quoted in Philosophy of the Masters, Vol. V}

A Sufi said to Rabia when she was ill that if she prayed to the Lord, he would relieve her suffering. She answered, “O Sufi, do you not know who it is that wills this suffering for me? Is it not God who wills it?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“When you know this, why do you ask for what is contrary to his will? It is not well to oppose one’s Beloved,” replied Rabia.
_{As quoted in Kabir, the Great Mystic}