We undertake many physical journeys in our life, and we come up against obstacles. The obstacles may be water, long distances, deserts, mountains, and many others. While these physical journeys are traveled by our bodies, a parallel spiritual adventure is on in our very insides, with our consciousness being the great traveler.
Guru Arjan Dev guides us to be always alive to this spiritual movement, and the obstacles that we face very day.
When the consciousness develops a sense of possession, it is up against quicksand. It fell to the allure of some trinket, and is now being helplessly sucked in. When it comes up against some denial of what it wanted, it is faced with an exploding volcano of anger – and it burns all around us. When we desire things just for ourselves, we face the barren desert of our own feelings, which are bereft of any succor for others. We wish ill for others, and these thoughts are the great mountains that will impede our process of self-improvement. As we run into quicksand, volcanoes, deserts, and mountains, an all powerful ego-crocodile has us in its sight. As in real life, we need assistance to make this difficult journey. The company of right thinking persons is the vehicle that we need, referred to as satsangat, the congregation of Truth.But merely boarding a vessel will not take us to our destination. The vessel is capable of avoiding obstructions, and floating over the deeps, but to give it control and direction, it needs an experienced pilot. The Teacher is that knowledgeable one.
Having found the congregation of truth, and under the guidance of an able teacher, the devotee embarks on the inner journey:
Dear Lord, one who joins the True Congregation, is saved.
By Guru’s Grace, the supreme status is obtained,
and the dry woods blossoms forth again, lush and green.