Tere andar saanch jo, bahar naahi janaav, Jaanan hara jaani hai, antar gati ka bhav (Kabir condemns bragging even about the truth in your heart. Your truth is yours alone. The knowledgeable have the ability to sense the machinations of the human mind on their own and your true heart will be seen by them anyways.) Why do we brag about our spiritual realisations? Why do we want to tell others about our spiritual growth? There are two reasons for this. Either it is for one-up-man-ship: … [Read more...] about The true mark of self-realisation
Archives for May 2014
Fear and Religion
Bhay se bhakti karen sab, bhay se puja hoye Bhay paras hai jeev ko, nirbhay hoye na koye (Kabir says that ‘fear’ (probably of the unknown) is instrumental in moving people towards prayer and taking to devotional practices. Fear works like the philosopher’s stone that causes people to tread on the right path). Kabir reaches the heart of the matter. He says, fear is instrumental in moving people towards prayer and taking to devotional practices. How was prayer or religion born? Imagine the … [Read more...] about Fear and Religion
The Importance of Fear
Bhay bin Bhav na upaje, bhay bin hoye na preeti Jab Hirday se bhay gaya, miti sakal riti (Kabir says that without an element of fear, it is difficult to feel happiness or sorrow. Fear is important even to feel affection for the Guru. In the absence of fear, one loses reverence for his master and can easily abandon all ethical behaviour, resulting in a loss of his own identity). Every mother once in a while has to scare her child. Why? Does she not love her child? No. If there is one expression … [Read more...] about The Importance of Fear
Guru-shishya link is based on love
Jab mein tha tab Guru Nahin, ab Guru hain main nahi Prem gali ati saankri ta mein do na samahi (Kabir says that when in a state of ego a disciple cannot connect to his Guru. And when he does achieve that connection with the Guru and absorbs true knowledge, ego vanishes. So narrow is the lane of love between the Guru and disciple that it has no room for ego.) Ego has its uses and Kabir knows about them. Ego is a defense mechanism. It helps you defend your interest. However, one should use ego as … [Read more...] about Guru-shishya link is based on love
Poor teachers have readymade answers
Saint Kabir has been one of the most unique Indian poet – thinker. Kabir was a peak in spiritual consciousness. Let us explore his wisdom. Kabir is a man of candor. He has spoken extensively on the guru-shishya (teacher-student) relationship. In the whole world, I doubt if anyone has written so extensively on the teacher-student relationship as Kabir has. Most of his writings have been polluted by compilers. They wax eloquent about the guru. In the following verse, which having read him … [Read more...] about Poor teachers have readymade answers
Domestic Violence and Equality of Women
As the International Women’s day draws near I was asked by an activist what are your comments on domestic violence against women? Here is my view. Domestic violence by man against woman is not so much a gender issue as it is a power issue. An unbiased study of history will demonstrate that often when one group is powerful enough to control another group and profit from that domination, they will do so regardless of gender. Woman also when she has had power, for example in matriarchal societies, … [Read more...] about Domestic Violence and Equality of Women