Oneness with God, Siri Singh Sahib Gurdwara Lecture
“Oneness with God”
Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan) Lecture Excerpts 12/12/88
From day one of the conception of Sikh Dharma, we have had to fight. Not a fight for the sake of fighting but a fight to walk towards God. Guru Nanak established that there is a power of God and made people realize that earth is temporary. Humanity thinks that the earth is permanent.
The earth is not for humanity. The earth is so we can recognize the Infinite in the finite, in God, in here and now. That's why Sikh Dharma is based on the principle of cherdi kala - everlasting, ever rising courage. We never have asked God not to give us troubles. We have always asked God to give us courage. You must understand when you pray, if you pray, "God, don't give us trouble," then you are in trouble. Your troubles start that day when you do not face trouble. Japji says, "Face trouble. It is also gift of God."
Ketiaa dookh bookh sad maar.
Eh bhee daat teree daataar.
Band khalaasee bhaanai hoeh.
25th Pauree of Japji Sahib - Guru Nanak Dev
Human life on the earth is to pay respect to karma - clean yourself, and go back into the lap of God. Life on the earth is not just about being successful on the earth. Life on the earth is also to be delightfully successful within you, here and hereafter. But we do not accept God; we do not trust God; we do not believe in God.
There are 22 religions! They are all very beautiful, and they all offer you one thing: "If you'll be with God, you will be blessed. If you'll be with God, you will be happy. If you give anything in the Name of God, in the heavens you will receive everything."
Is there any day in our lives where we feel we are one with God and God creates one simple thing -- the whole universe? We have never understood our destiny. We don't even have the dignity to understand our destiny, much less perform it.
People who talk to each other to create an understanding are angels, saints. People who talk to each other to convince each other, to impress each other, or con each other are devils. A man of God will elevate any one he touches, sees or speaks to. A man of evil will bring down the spirit of anyone who he sees, feels or touches. That's why Sikh Dharma is based on cherdi kala.
All things come from God, and all things go to God, but we don't accept this. Why not? We have never accepted God. We have never accepted the unison of the “Uni-One,” into the unison of it. There is one God who we have never accepted as the Creator. Even if we say we accept Him, we still don't trust Him. If there is an eventuality, everybody freaks out.
The problem is that we have not developed courage, guts, and intelligence to accept that God is. We don't accept that God is. We accept that the earth is. How can a person sleep when the union with the soul and God has to take place? You live by your soul, but you have no communication with your soul, and your soul, has no communication with its own Creator.
We have to accept the Oneness of God.
Karma cannot be paid without dharma. Dharma gives you courage, because life consists of ups and downs, life is day and night, and life is richness and poverty. There's only one thing which will bring happiness to life -- when you put yourself on the side and serve others, then God will fill in the gap and shall serve you. People say, "I have a light," "I have a dharma," "I have happiness." I don't believe that. The only test of a happy person is when they come out and serve those who are unhappy in the Name of God.
God is with me. My capacity of recognizing God is not just trusting God, not just praying to God. God is in me. You have ten trillion cells. Each cell has three parts. There are thirty trillion facets of God in all. You have to see everything as near, as dear, as effective, as affectionate. Do you have that capacity? You have to have this capacity to recognize God in yourself, so you can see God in others? Once a Sikh asked this question, "Guru, if I do not see and find God in myself, where shall I find God?" The Guru answered, "In service of the Sangat." It's a privilege. It is the highest privilege bestowed on an ordinary person. It's a privilege of the highest honor. The only way to free your soul unto its destiny and unto God is by serving people, smiling at them, wiping their tears, forgiving them.