Gurpurab

In moments of deep grief and overwhelm, Guru Ji’s hukam guides us. Recently, the katha of Sant Singh Ji Maskeen gave me pause. This moment was a reminder of how necessary it is (for me at least) to consciously pause and listen.

Maskeen Ji spoke about Sanjha Dharam. I will confess that my understanding of the katha needs much more work but what struck me, were the words Sanjha (collective) and Dharam (the product of compassion). As I listened, I considered the depth of these two words – how they could push me to interpret the world at a deeper level and shift perspective.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji questioned constantly. They questioned the treatment of humans based on caste and financial security. They questioned the ongoing violent oppression and hatred between peoples and faith groups. There was so much bloodshed in the name of ‘mazab’ (which can be translated as ‘faithful’) that people began to wonder if faith was needed at all. But Guru Nanak Dev Ji wanted to shift the way faith was considered towards a more collective understanding. Instead of faith that caused divisions and hatred, they wanted people to consider faith as a way for collective liberation – a path to stand in solidarity with each other, to sustain the physical universe, no matter a person’s spiritual identity. They shared a belief that all teachings should be respected and we could experience a world where no fear of the other existed and no hatred of the other was known. It was only when we could see the humanity in one another that true faith could be experienced.

To think deeper about ‘Sanjha Dharam’ then, leaves us with a question: What can or will we do to cultivate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s vision of conscious existence? We have a responsibility to act and engage with our surroundings and those actions, however small, impact society and the world in which we travel.

Bhul chuk maaf

Sources:

Sant Singh Ji Maskeen SANJHA DHARAM

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