The demise of a close one in the prime of life can be devastating to anyone -even to someone who has been a teacher of positivity in life.  With the recent passing away of her husband Kamal Jit Singh Ahluwalia, the author -Harpreet Kaur is working hard to unearth the meaning of life. With the backing of her husband’s love and eternal warmth, his ever-smiling face in front of her, she does a remarkable tryst with life in this piece which flows from her heart. 

IN A SEED THERE IS LIFE -In that Life, there is Death and more Life. It is a circle of life and death. There is no start and end to it. So then How, When, Where was life created? What is LIFE? Is it the same for everyone or different for different people?

Is Life, acquisition of knowledge, or relationships, or a continuous process of learning-growth and change, or about living joyfully, or self-control, or is it full of absurdity where each one of us is trying to find meaning according to one’s own value, or it is just a journey from womb to tomb?

The majority of us are searching for the meaning of life through materialism. We are stuck in the lower three levels of the Maslow hierarchy of needs. We never can rise above that. This has led to large-scale dissatisfaction and mental illness.

We all plan and work towards a certain way of life, but the reality is these are uncertain times. The world has been turned upside down by Covid19 and its effects can be seen not only in every home but worldwide. Thousands of people have died and are dying every day, many are dealing with ongoing health complications, incomes have been affected, divorce rates have gone up and stress and anxiety have increased many folds. 

Our life has turned out different than what we had expected and planned. Gone are times when we visited friends and family, hugged each other, held hands, or enjoyed a meal together. It is not surprising that many people living a ‘Happy Life’ not so long ago now worry about life and the future. 

It is ironic how our lives have been turned upside down instantly by a virus that we can’t even see. So, life cannot be planned -we did not create it and we cannot control it.

It is ironic how our lives have been turned upside down instantly by a virus that we can’t even see. So, life cannot be planned -we did not create it and we cannot control it.

All living beings that are born, have to die and that is the law of the universe. 

The question is what am I supposed to do? Just stand there and watch life going by helplessly, feel disappointed, waste an inordinate time mourning on plans that did not work out and on things that I lost. Alternatively, I can work on my thoughts, accept life’s surprises, cherish the small moments and live in the NOW because life is a perpetual transcendence always moving into the future. 

Life is like a two-sided coin. Life is happiness and sadness, joy and suffering, creativity and destruction, beautiful and ugly, youth and old age, life and death.

Life is like a two-sided coin. Life is happiness and sadness, joy and suffering, creativity and destruction, beautiful and ugly, youth and old age, life and death. You choose which side you want to be, despite its uncertainties and fragileness. Today we have the opportunity to pause, reflect, and rethink. It is time to find a purpose and not just survive. It is time to find and give meaning to our existence. 

While there can be many purposes to life, according to Guru Arjan Dev Ji,

ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
You have been blessed with this human body.

ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.

ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
Other efforts are of no use to you.

ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥
Joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||1||

So, the purpose of our life is to live a God-centered life. The Gurus stressed living within this world and connecting with universal energy at the same time. They did not encourage shunning family life and avoiding responsibilities. Within the family, one comes face to face with the five vices –Kaam -lust, Krodh -wrath, Lobh -greed, Moh-attachment and Ahankar -ego. The Gurus stressed that we use the platform of the family to overcome these five vices and start practising Seva -selfless service, Simran -a meditation on God’s Name and Remembrance of God and Veechar -dialogue and discussion. 

The influence of these five vikars-vices weaken our connection with the Divine and bring in Haumai -ego. Sikhism guides us to transform them:

Kaam is deep, extensive desire, lust, and it can be overcome by being in the present moment and honouring the institution of marriage. 

Krodh is rage or uncontrolled anger. It should be channelled against injustice and in helping others.

Lobh is greed. Rather than having greed for material things, have lobh for Guru’s teachings.

Moh is attachment. Instead of being attached to people or family, be attached to Guru.

Ahankar is ego. One should identify oneself with the Guru and his teachings, rather than accomplishments, status, wealth, possessions, etc.

The purpose of every human life is to connect with God-

ਆਪਿ ਜਪਹੁ ਅਵਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵਹੁ ॥
Chant the Naam yourself and inspire others to chant it as well.
                                                                   Raag Gauri, Page 288 -Guru Granth Sahib

Being conscious of this as the be-all and end-all of life will ensure that we conquer the five vices, stay in touch with God, and do what He desires us to do. 

Title image courtesy: thehansindia.com

Harpreet Kaur Ahluwalia, the wife of late Kamal Jit Singh Ahluwalia, is a corporate coach and mentor, a major in economics, a public speaker on corporate affairs and an expert advisor in Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Relationship Management and Adolescence challenges.