Is There Within You That Which Is Beyond Time and Space?

It will feel risky because you want to do many things with your life. And again, I'm saying that all the good things are given only by Him anyway. So I'm committing, but 'conditions apply'? No conditions can apply. It's a complete makeover. You will not be able to squeeze God into the crowd of your existing life, into the crowd of your attachments. If the 100 Kauravas are already there, God will not be the 101st. So like Arjuna, we have to go 'chop chop chop chop' with all our attachments so that we make room for God. Never become complacent; never feel that you've 'made it' and now you can just grab, grab, grab. Always be humble; always be a beginner.

We just heard the word 'God.' Seriously, literally, Nanak Ji is telling us that this life we've been gifted with is an opportunity, and the opportunity is to meet the Lord of the Universe. Now, the phrase 'Lord of the Universe'—our mind really can't fathom that. And plus, in the modern world, we keep hearing these things everywhere, so it's no big deal. But when we hear Nanak Ji saying that this life has been given to us—that much we admit—He's saying it is so that we can find the Lord of the Universe. Can we meet those words? And I'm telling you that to meet the Lord of the Universe, you have to stay facing that which is beyond time and space within yourself. That is the heart altar.

Don't make it into some pseudo-scientific experiment and say, 'Oh yeah, my presence is there.' It is Him. His presence is there, which you meet as your presence. What a gift that His presence is that which I call 'I am.' The Atma within—whether it is felt or not—is none of our business. We have to stay facing that altar whether it is lit up or it seems dark. To the mind, it will seem like a sacrifice of time. 'I'm waiting at God's altar, hopefully I'm not imagining a lot of rubbish, just waiting patiently and courageously for His grace to bring us His Darshan, His recognition.' Meanwhile, the world is offering every brand of candy there is. The deeper you want to go, the more the candy comes. Often times it is neem leaves that seem like candy to us, but they still call us. Because you are going deeper to a higher love, to a greater love.

The mind is like a corrupt tourist agent or a greedy auto driver. 'Why you want to go to Taj Mahal? It takes too long. I'll take you here, I'll show you Taj in Bangalore only.' It tries to replace God through the world of appearances, and then it becomes Maya. When you say 'I want,' that 'want' you should have kept reserved for God alone. That longing should have been only for God alone, not for that which comes and goes. Is there a greater lack of faith than not remaining with God because we think we know better what we want? I don't feel like there's a bigger lack of faith than that. And yet, this is what all of us do: go our own way instead of remaining with God. Whether you want to call it sin, mistake, or Papa, it is undeniable that we do this.

The project is very difficult except when you are guided by the right guides. I would go so far as to say that it's impossible without the scriptures, without the sages, without the saints, without the teachers. This Chakravyuha is impenetrable. That is why all the sages everywhere have valued the right company, both inwardly and outwardly. If you get involved inwardly with greed, anger, and desire, it's not good for your spiritual health. If you are only involved outwardly, attached to those who just care about that which is temporal, then you have to deal with that additional load. Satsang can be a refuge, but to truly be a refuge, each Satsang member has to be fully committed to this project.

Will we slip from time to time? Of course we will. But because we are each committed, then in our interactions, we can elevate our brothers and sisters. In that way, the Satsang is a refuge. But it is possible for us to become Bad Company if all we do is spread judgment or a casualness about the project of God. All of us should be so lit with the fire of God that even if two are slipping, the other three keep them afloat. Jesus said—and I'm paraphrasing—'Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out.' You're neither hot nor cold, just somewhere in the middle. Spiritual when it's convenient, worldly when it tempts us. Soon it'll all be over. Keep the fire for God's recognition, for His presence, for His love alive in your heart. Fight! Don't just give in to Maya every time it dangles a carrot. The best carrots are from God.