Everyone and every thing have a purpose (dharma)...
"The Beauty Of Jap Ji Sahib" is an amazing book by Team AWAT*. It consists of the deep meanings of Jap Ji Sahib presenting 54 keywords and verses. So here are the ten lessons I found life-changing:
1. EVERYTHING IS GOVERNED BY THE HUKAM (LAW)
One should simply accept the fact that everything happening in the universe is controlled by a natural phenomenon i.e.; HUKAM (the Law). Thus, we should give up the idea of "me, I and mine" because in reality nothing is owned or controlled by us.
Once we accept and understand the hukam, we will be on our way to become a "Sachiara" - one who knows the truth.
Note that truth is something that can neither be taught nor be told. It can only be experienced.
2. PRACTICE DETACHMENT
Guru Nanak said that the divine is Nirbhau-Nirvair (without fear and enmity). He treats everyone equally with kindness and compassion. Whereas, we the humans are constantly in fear of something which results in enmity and malice towards others.
"Fear is an inbuilt human trait and malice is it's by-product." [from the book]
So, what to do?
Practice Detachment: Detach yourself from all the worldly riches, fame, people and everything to become fearless. Yes, you can buy an expensive house or marry a wise person but do not attach yourself to that house or that person.
3. GOD'S LANGUAGE IS LOVE: ANYONE CAN COMMUNICATE TO HIM
We, the humans try hard and our best to communicate to the god by performing rituals and offerings but if you want to communicate to him, then it's quite simple; talk to him in his language and his language is LOVE. Isn't this amazing? We need to learn the language of love.
BUT HOW TO DO THIS?
It's quite simple. Love can be showed by gratitude and doing the right thing. So take out some time each day in the morning to show gratitude to the divine for his blessings and tell him that you are going to live this day accordingly and then take action.
4. MERE RITUALS WITH THE AIM OF ACHIEVING SOMETHING ARE FUTILE
We perform several rituals to impress him but the truth is that he is never impressed by our rituals. For this, we need his wisdom. No matter how many baths we take at pilgrimages, nothing will be achieved without divine beneficence. Apparently, if we do something with an expectation of a return, then it's useless. Give up your expectations and be kind and generous.
5. ACTIVELY LISTEN TO HIM AND BELIEVE.
"Trouble is we hear what we want to hear; nothing gets past our conditioned thinking." [from the book]
Guru Nanak says that by active listening to what he says, we can achieve anything in our life because divine's teachings consist all the answers. We just need to actively listen to him to awaken ourselves.
Secondly, once we are done with listening, we are supposed to believe him. By believing and following him, we will awaken our consciousness.
6. BECOME A PANCH
Guru Nanak used a word "Panch" for those who accepts the teachings of the divine and then put them into practice. He asks us to become like a panch. Once we become a panch, we'll be guru-centred instead of self-centred.
7. GOOD AND EVIL COEXISTS
In this divine plan, both good and evil exists. That is, if there exists positivity then there exists negativity too. So, we are supposed to become empathetic to everyone and everything and never judge them in any way. Because, it's the law of nature that positive and negative coexists. So, let's become empathetic to our friends, enemies and all the living and non-living beings no matter what they do.
8. AS WE SOW, SO SHALL WE REAP
“ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ॥ aape beej aape hee khaahu” [Jap Ii Sahib]
We all are quite aware of the fact said by Isaac Newton:
"To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Let's understand this deeply. We are constantly achieving results according to our past deeds. So, whatever we are today, we are the result of our past thoughts and actions.
Therefore, become kind and compassionate to everyone and everything around you. Kindness is the ultimate strength.
9. SORROWS AND SUFFERINGS ARE MEDICINES
As medicines keep us healthy, so do sorrows and sufferings. Therefore, we are supposed to find a meaning in our sufferings because there is always some reason to everything happening in the entire universe.
"We naturally recoil from pain (physical or emotional) but, if treated like a medicine, it can help us grow stronger and offer deeper insights into our own selves." [from the book]
10. FOLLOW YOUR PURPOSE
Everyone and everyone have a purpose (dharma). Sun, air, water, trees, soil, animals and human beings, everyone has a purpose. So, we are supposed to find our purpose and do everything to achieve it. This is called life. A person who lives according to his/her purpose is at peace both consciously and unconsciously.