[SikhNet is privileged to present before you the photo artist Amardeep Singh and his work.
You may have seen these visuals, events, places etc in real life - but these works of art through photos present before you another perspective/dimension of events, things and places - a 'seeing beyond seeing' - beyond what the eye presents as mere play of light and shadow.
Brief explanations and quotes (poetry) are provided to enrich the discerning viewer and reader. Not as a means to transport sentiments or ideas but to establish the fact that spirituality encompasses our aesthetic faculties too.
It is truly said: "looking is a gift and seeing is a power" (Gross & Shapiro, 2001). - ED]
About Amardeep
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 Life asks that we experience it through passions and this existence should not be limited to performance of daily chores. I see this creation through a language of pictures. Describing beauty around us in words is like oppressing the truth, visually though, it floats freely.
Born in India, living in Singapore, I have been living a life of a wanderer.
My wanderings started early at the age of 7, when to flourish my individuality, I was sent to be educated in boarding schools across the valley of Dehradun, in the foothills of Himalayas. I schooled at Welham Boys School till the age of 13 and thereafter at The Doon School. Wonder-struck with machines, I pursued engineering at Manipal Institute of Technology, in South India, which was later supplemented with a MBA from University of Chicago.
I work for American Express as Head of Merchant Pricing for Asia-Pacific region, a job that keeps me intellectually challenged. I have lived in Singapore, Hong Kong and India, and traveled significantly across the world.
My passions have evolved and changed many times in my life. It’s this aspect of my wandering nature that is best described as……
“Just as a white summer cloud, in harmony with heaven and earth freely floats in the blue sky from horizon to horizon following the breath of the atmosphere – in the same way the pilgrim abandons himself to the breath of the greater life that… leads him beyond the farthest horizons to an aim which is already present within him, though yet hidden from his sight.” — Lama Anagarika Govinda.
My life in the Corporate world is primarily centered around left side of the brain and it’s through the lenses that I tap into it’s creative right side.
I try to see the world beyond seeing!
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Golden Temple
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In search, I have been to many places.
Through you, I was reminded that HE lives within.
During a visit to the Golden Temple at Amritsar, I tried to photograph it through uncommon angles.
For years I searched everywhere, making myself the viewer, trying to find him as my object of experiment. All experiences were only relative to limitation of my perceptions. Then through you, the subjectivity was removed and I realized HE lives within.
Where do you search me? I am with you
Not in pilgrimage, nor in icons, Neither in solitudes
Not in temples, nor in mosques Neither in Kaba nor in Kailash
I am with you o man, I am with you
Not in prayers, nor in meditation, Neither in fasting
Not in yogic exercises, Neither in renunciation
Neither in the vital force nor in the body, Not even in the ethereal space
Neither in the womb of Nature, Not in the breath of the breath
Seek earnestly and discover, In but a moment of search
Says Kabir, Listen with care, Where your faith is, I am there.
Kabir (1441-1581)
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You are me, and I am You!
| | To my curious mind, a journey to understand the various schools of Indian philosophical system, has led me to one and only conclusion that the whole is too large and at best can only be seen in parts, through our own limited senses.
Non-duality between the Self and Divine, is the pinnacle of spiritual wisdom but the journey to this stage of understanding requires the human mind to anchor on duality. It is for this reason why the seeker sees the benefit in visiting spiritual places and performing religious acts that provides them solace.
While I am no one to say anything about any one’s belief system, but one Shabad (piece of spiritual writing) in the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) has been resonating with me for years.
Bhagat Ravidas, the 15th century saint from North India, questions in this Shabad that “If I did not Sin, then how would you be called the Redeemer of Sinners?”
It’s a very powerful question.
A teacher may be well qualified with the best of degrees but if he has no students then how can he be called a Teacher?
In the stage of duality, Bhagat Ravidas keeps his identity uniquely apart from that of the Divine and seeks an answer to this fundamental question, implying that the Divine is also dependent on the Seeker. While to the common mind, this question may not make sense but then Bhagat Ravidas soon transitions into the non-duality and says that in reality “YOU are ME and I am YOU”.
Who said understanding spirituality was ever easy?
During a visit to the Golden Temple, the Sikh Gurudwara at Amritsar, as I turned my camera to capture the visiting Seekers, the words of Bhagat Ravidas could be heard being sung from the sanctum sanctorum.
You are me, and I am You-what is the difference between us?
We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves.
If I did not commit any sins, O Infinite Lord,
how would You have acquired the name, ‘Redeemer of sinners’?
You are my Master, the Inner-knower, Searcher of hearts.
The servant is known by his God, and the Lord and Master is known by His servant.
Grant me the wisdom to worship and adore You with my body.
O Ravi Daas, one who understands that the Lord is equally in all, is very rare.2 Bhagat Ravidas (Page 93, Guru Granth Sahib)
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....to be continued
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