Anand Sahib

Guru Amardas Sahib

In the first pauri, which marks the ladder’s initial step, Guru Amardas invoked his mother to convey to the world that, through steadfastness, he experienced bliss, accompanied by resounding congratulations within his mind. Moving on to the second pauri, the second step on this ladder, Guru Amardas addresses his mind, saying, O my mind! You must always stay with Hari, the All-Pervasive, the 1-Light, the Fear-Eliminator. The instruction is clear-cut; there’s no complexity to it. Guru Amardas urges his mind to maintain a constant connection with the 1-Light—not only in times of trouble, happiness, or sorrow, not just at 4 a.m. or 10 p.m., but at all times. However, human nature often inclines us to question. Why is it necessary for the mind to remain connected with the 1-Light? What will change as a result? The answer is that all our sufferings will fade when the mind is aligned with the 1-Light. Pains will lose their power to trouble or induce anxiety. The 1-Light will oversee every facet of the body, resolve matters, and provide solutions to every situation. Guru Amardas invokes the term Suami, one of the many names of IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One). "Suami" signifies "Master" and can also be interpreted as "Owner." This term represents a profoundly personal and intimate relationship with the One. It’s not a relationship based on hierarchy or fear but one characterized by reverence, profound love, and willing submission. We listen. We absorb. Guru Amardas’s Owner is the 1-Light—an all-knowing and all-capable entity. So why forget the One who you have acknowledged as your Owner? Guru Amardas concludes this ladder step, reiterating, O my mind! You must always stay with Hari, the All-Pervasive, the 1-Light, the Fear-Eliminator.

We reflect that the experience with eternal Wisdom occurred through serenity and steadiness; bliss emerged through serenity and steadiness. Now, the mind is tenderly advised to continuously dwell in that bliss with the 1-Light. Always remaining with the 1-Light, the eternal One, leads to freedom from pain. The 1-Light will alleviate all suffering. What does it mean to be free from pain? Does it imply that we’ll never encounter negative interactions or societal tensions, experience disappointment, or face losing loved ones? Not necessarily. Rather, it means that the pain stemming from such situations will no longer possess the ability to generate anxiety. As humans, we tend to fixate on our pains, which may hinder our ability to remember the 1-Light. This might explain the perceived difficulty in experiencing the 1-Light. When we find ourselves entangled in our pains and fears, we often seek assistance from others similarly entangled. However, can those entangled in their own struggles truly help us? Guru Amardas has illuminated a path—always remember the 1-Light. Have faith that the 1-Light will take care of everything, and endeavors will naturally find resolution. How is this achievable? When we abide in the company of the 1-Light, our thought process and perspective shift. We no longer perceive ourselves as the sole doers of the work. Instead, our mindset changes to recognizing that whatever unfolds is orchestrated by the 1-Light and is inherently beautiful. By willingly surrendering to the all-knowing, all-capable 1-Light, our Suami, our Owner, we break free from the memory of pain. We become liberated from pain. In today’s world, surrender is often seen as defeat. Yet, this surrender is a spontaneous, loving, and devoted act. It’s not submission; it’s a form of emancipation. Considering the cultural aspect of the term "suami," within South Asian and other cultures, it signifies the expectation that a husband is to be regarded as a suami—a protector, a fulfiller of wishes, a provider, and a reliever of pains. But can an imperfect, finite being, lacking all knowledge and capabilities, truly alleviate someone’s pains? The true alleviator of pain is the 1-Light. Thus, we ought to remain in the company of the 1-Light continually.

We may ask ourselves: Whom are we elevating to the position of “suami” in our lives? Do we genuinely believe they possess all-encompassing knowledge and capabilities to relieve our pains? Do we yearn to be liberated from pain? If so, where is our focus? Do we desire our mind to reside in the presence of the 1-Light perpetually?