The session began with an introduction on the relevance of Guru Granth Sahib and Naari Chetna by Dr Beant Kaur.
She explained that the message of Guru Granth Sahib was eternal. If love, honesty, peace, morality and tolerance are relevant today then indeed its message is relevant. Dr Beant Kaur also introduced us to the progressive view of Sikhism towards women. Women were treated with disrespect before the advent of Guru Nanak (founder of the Sikh religion). They were not allowed to participate in religious ceremonies and had no say even in family matters.
Social systems were corrupted by child marriage, purdah and sati system. What began with a small bunch of students is now a full-fledged professional course with 500 students in each batch. Exams are held at the end of each session and the first three students are awarded cash prizes. "To some, we also give books," explained Harinder Pal Singh.
"These are the three pillars of Sikhism. Nam japna (meditating on the name), kirat karna (earning your own bread) and vand chhakna (sharing with others). These three concepts of community kitchen, Sikh congregation and communal breaking of bread were initiated by Guru Nanak and continue to this day. "The gurudwaras actually came to be known as temples of bread," explained Sardar Aaya Singh, who used to be with the Ministry of External Affairs. He shared with me how the course helped him. He travelled extensively and communicated with dignitaries across the world. For him, religion was confined to the mere recitation of the banis.
"The Gurubani guides us on every aspect of our life. I lived my life in contrast to what our gurus preached. I regret coming so late for this course," he exclaimed poignantly.
Two sessions completely transformed me: Siddha Gosht and Anand Sahib. Siddha Gosht is a dialogue between Guru Nanak and contemporary saints of the time. It encourages the peaceful co-existence of different viewpoints and also inculcates the virtue of patient listening. Guru Nanak encouraged the saints to speak first while he listened without being judgmental. Kich suniye kich kahiye' (Some listening, some speaking). A piece of advice all of us could benefit from!
Every single religion and its scriptures has its concept of the ideal man. The Gita talks of the Sthithpragya, Buddhism extols the Bodhisattva and Sikhism advocated the Gurmukh or Sachiar. They must be same, I think aloud. No, smilingly explains Dr Jodh Singh, a doctorate on Siddha Gosht. "The Gurmukh is not a recluse or hermit, but a householder. He attains moksha while living, not after death.
My `aha' moment occurred during a lecture on Anand Sahib. Anand means bliss. This is the ultimate and the climax of every single religious philosophy. Slowly and subtly, the divine and celestial world of Guru Granth Sahib enveloped me as I heard 42 illuminating lectures on the book's message. I gained spiritually not just from its timeless message but from the noble souls I happened to meet during these lectures. I realised that studying and understanding religious philosophies of other faiths does not make you a convert. It facilitates the unfolding of hidden aspects of one's own personality by lending it a broader perspective. For me, these lectures were a journey from Om to Ek Onkar (God is One).
Bhawna Malik is a Delhi-based writer. She is a seeker, loves life and is interested in understanding complexities of the human mind. "From Om to Ek Onkar" - September 2011 Life PositiveLL