Grace: Love in Action
Mystics draw our attention to two certainties in life, which unfold without our consent and over which we exercise no influence: birth and death. We do not choose to be born but are ushered into existence by a force beyond our control. Nor can we escape death, irrespective of how hard we try to ignore it. We awaken every morning and, after tending to our daily responsibilities, retire each evening without reflecting upon our actions. As we are often asked, “We exist, but are we truly living?”
Somewhere in the recesses of our minds, we’re aware that one day we will no longer be alive. However, we don’t think about death, at least not in any meaningful way that would make a difference in how we live our lives. Attending the funerals of loved ones should serve as an opportunity to reflect on our mortality; instead, we return home with a sense of gratitude that we’re still alive. Unwisely, we give no thought to the day when death will come for us – we continue to think of it as something that happens to other people. Yet who can fathom the sheer multitude of people who have lived on earth since the beginning of time, only to depart? Among the 8.1 billion individuals alive today, we too, are destined to join the ranks of those who came before us. How often does this make us pause and think about what happened to them after death? Where did they go? What was the purpose of their existence? And what of our presence here? Where did we come from, and where is our path ultimately leading?
If we broaden our perspective, we realize that we are nothing more than fleeting specks in the history of time. If our contributions to knowledge, science, or the arts are deemed significant, our names may be immortalized in books, and passers-by might pause before our statue to honour our memory. But amid these tributes, where are we? Philosophers, poets, essayists, writers and novelists have penned countless words about the purpose of life, the existence of God, the essence of our being, and the nature of reality. Theories upon theories have been put forward and debated. Yet, for most people, the mystery of life and death remains unsolved, an enduring enigma seemingly without an answer.
To illustrate our plight let’s take the analogy of a blind man. He stands at the edge of a bustling road, his ears tuned to the numerous cars speeding past, their horns adding to his sense of unrest. Paralyzed by fear, he dares not cross the road. Eventually, a compassionate passer-by notices his predicament and offers a helping hand. The stranger assures the blind man that he can safely guide him across to the other side, provided he trusts the stranger’s care. Taking a leap of faith, the blind man does so and together they navigate the bustling road, reaching the other side safely.
Like the blind man’s anxiety amid busy traffic, we often find ourselves unsure of the way forward. However, we are not alone. Mystics, like the compassionate passer-by, offer us a way out of our confusion and guide us towards enlightenment if we are willing to place our trust in them. In the process, they shatter our illusions, informing us that while we associate ourselves with the physical body, this is not our true self.
Why are you confused and disheartened, dear soul!
Take it from me
the master will ferry you across the ocean.
… hold tight to the banner of Shabd.
Soami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Poetry
It is through divine grace that we can accept, at least in theory, that:
- God is not a figment of the imagination, a mere idea or a concept. He exists.
- God brought himself into existence and manifested a dynamic sound current, Shabd. It is through this great power that God created and sustains the universe. As the life force of the entire universe, whatever exists continues because of Shabd and is Shabd.
- Like soundwaves, God in Shabd form pervades the entire creation; not even a microscopic speck is devoid of Shabd. Shabd is like a musical string connecting everyone and everything with God.
- Of the eight million, four hundred thousand species of life, human beings alone have been blessed with the unique opportunity to realize the purpose of life: God-realization.
- God-realization is possible only with the guidance of a true living master.
As we read about the lives of past saints, a common narrative unfolds – many encountered difficulties when seeking a true master. Regardless of the ease with which today’s seekers find their spiritual path, the literature is unwavering on one crucial point: the greatest grace the Lord bestows on humanity is the opportunity to receive guidance from a true mystic. Without this grace, it would be impossible for anyone to contemplate on the Lord, let alone find the path back to him. Indeed, our spiritual journey is, above all else, characterized by grace. While the Lord’s grace comes first (by marking souls as ready to return home), for disciples, it is their master’s grace which is paramount.
It is impossible to convey all that a master does for a disciple, but the 1990’s gospel ballad ‘Movin on Up’ by Primal Scream captures an aspect of the change a mystic induces among those under his charge:
I was blind, now I can see
You made a believer out of me …I was lost, now I’m found
I believe in you, I got no bounds
I’m movin’ on up now
Getting’ out of the darknessMy light shines on, my light shines on.
Whenever somebody helps us or gives us a gift, it’s natural to want to reciprocate. As the Master has given us the greatest gift of all, that of initiation, surely we should thank him by doing everything he asks. The quintessence of spirituality is love, and the best way of expressing our love is by dedicating ourselves to the spiritual practice that the masters impart. Mystics reassure us that whatever effort we make, however paltry, is recognized. As the masters remind us, let us leave results to the Lord, for He is the ocean of love and, one day, this very love will engulf us. This is their promise.