The World is just like a dream – it will pass away in an instant

Earlier today I was sitting in Gurdwara and listening to Chardikala Jatha sing a shabad by Guru Tegh Bahaadur Ji which was about how temporary our life is and how fast it goes by.

Sorat’h, Ninth Mehla:
O man, grasp this Truth firmly in your soul. The whole world is just like a dream; it will pass away in an instant. ||1||Pause|| Like a wall of sand, built up and plastered with great care, which does not last even a few days, just so are the pleasures of Maya. Why are you entangled in them, you ignorant fool? ||1|| Understand this today – it is not yet too late! Chant and vibrate the Name of the Lord. Says Nanak, this is the subtle wisdom of the Holy Saints, which I proclaim out loud to you. ||2||8|| ( Pannaa 633 )

The shabd was right on with my thoughts today. The past few days I have been thinking about how quickly time passes by and how we are just here for a "blink" of time. My mother recently turned 60 years old, I’m now 32, married, and with two kids. At the same time I am thinking how quickly Narayan is growing up and will be an adult before I know it. Meanwhile at Gurdwara I was seeing so many of my friends and classmates who I have known since I was a little kid with their own children. It was only yesterday that we were all little kids going to boarding school in India. Today many of the kids from Miri Piri Academy who are now home for summer vacation got saropas from the sangat. I remember when I used to get this saropa from the sangat every year. It seems like a long time ago, yet at the same time only yesterday. We aren’t kids anymore. It’s strange seeing us all as adults and realizing how fast time passes you by. Then I thought about how 35+ years ago SSS Harbhajan Singh Khalsa came to the USA and started teaching about Sikh Dharma, spirituality, etc. Look what has happened in that time! It’s just a "blink of time" yet so much has happened. I then tried to imagine myself 60 years old and realized that I will be there in the not too distant future.

These thoughts always bring me back to who I am now and what I am doing. I know in my day to day life I sometimes think I’ll be able do some things later (the "I’ll do it tomorrow" which never comes). There is always that feeling like there is plenty of time to catch up and do certain things. One never knows when your time is going to be up. I’m sure many of the older generation have experienced this as they look back on their life so far.

At the same time I am grateful for the many blessings that I have received and try to always remember that. I am grateful that I have been able to learn and experience the things that I have, and be able to teach these things to my children as well, who will in turn pass on to their children.

Happy Birthday Arjan!

Chardikala Jatha – Rae Nar Eh Saachee Jeea Dhaar
[Audio:http://www.mrsikhnet.com/mp3player/traditional%20gurbani/chardikala%20jatha/Chardikala%20Jatha%20-%20Rae%20Nar%20Eh%20Saachee%20Jeea%20Dhaar.mp3] Download 

Chardikala Jatha – Mera Man Loche
[Audio:http://www.mrsikhnet.com/mp3player/traditional%20gurbani/chardikala%20jatha/Chardikala%20Jatha%20-%20Mere%20Man%20Loche.mp3] Download

7 Responses to “The World is just like a dream – it will pass away in an instant”

1. Simran says:

   June 4, 2007 at 9:18 am

   I was thinking the same-thing after visiting my Aunt who is in the Hospital. Without Gurbani & Guru’s blessing life is… Thank you for sharing the Kirtan!

2. T says:

   June 5, 2007 at 12:54 am

   Yor are so right Gurmustuk veerji! I was listening to saloks of the 9th Guru this morning as well. They are such a good wake up call and remind you of your ultimate goal. But thanks to you to for sharing your experiences of going through life as well as the kirtan.

3. "Mai" Harinder Kaur says:

   June 5, 2007 at 1:26 am

   You never know. One day I was in normal health, the next day half my body stopped functioning as a result of a major stroke, although I had only just turned 54. Maya is tricky and unpredictable. If you have something to do, get on it now.

   BTW: Is the ‘…and human’ on your header new? Or did I just never notice it before?

4. Gurjeet Singh says:

   June 5, 2007 at 2:40 am

   Sat Sri Akaal

   Thank you for uploading the shabads Khalsa Ji, and surely, the time passes quickly which reminds me of not missing out the kirtan session from CKJ.. are they doing kirtan seva at the Espanola Gurdwara this Sunday during the broadcast ?

5. Poonam Kaur says:

   June 5, 2007 at 12:34 pm

   Thanks for sharing the beautiful shabads.

   Many Happy returns of the day Arjan ! May Guru shower His blessings on you and your beautiful family.

6. Gurpreet Singh says:

   June 5, 2007 at 3:11 pm

   How come the students are given siropas each summer? Is it a tradition? Just wondering…

7. Harnav Bir Singh says:

   June 8, 2007 at 9:17 pm

   WaheGuru Ji ka Khalsa WaheGuru Ji ki Fathe …

   Singh ji …can u please post a full resolution pic of the Siropaa Ceremony :)

   it would be great!

   WaheGuru Ji ka Khalsa WaheGuru Ji ki Fathe