2020 05 04 Giarveen Katha

Katha pre-recorded at Seattle on 29 April 2020.

Message:
All days belong to the Creator. It is not the day that we celebrate rather it is the Creator that we are celebrating. Together we engage in “Sat da Sang”; by sharing and receiving praise of The Creator we are in the “Company of the Truth”. Sat da Sang relieves us of the distortions of our mind (vikaar) and we gain knowledge that develops into an emotional yearning for the divine (vairaag). This ultimately turns into true love for The Creator.
In the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan Dev ji has enlightened us with knowledge about the “tithis” or the days attributed to the phases of the moon. Elaborating on the significance of Ekadashi or Giarveen tithi (the eleventh phase of the waxing moon), Guru Arjan Dev Ji has guided us that on this day if we are truly celebrating The Creator then it should be done with purity of the heart and mind, not just externally.
Guru Arjan Dev ji explains, on the day of Ekadashi, people of many cultures fast, give donations and undertake pilgrimages in efforts to gain blessings from The Creator. These efforts, however, can only be accomplished if one develops a closeness to The Creator. This closeness comes from exercising self control in overcoming any internal vices, practicing perseverance and contentment, and having love and compassion for all of The Creator’s creations.
Reflection:
If our mind is not at peace we are not able to focus on anything. Focusing on or devoting our mind to The Creator can be no different. Our mind must be stable and content to feel peace and must be compassionate if it wants to truly love The Creator.
We can be physically present during Sangat, but to be truly engaged in Sat da Sang it is our mind that must be present. We must practice self control, perseverance, contentment and compassion if we want to further our spiritual journey.