Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fatih!

How do we make sense of war, human suffering, and the struggle for human rights that are taking place globally? How do we make sense of the daily struggle for survival of millions living on this planet today?

Are we to become oblivious?
Are we to become numb?
Are we to become despondent?

In the first composition of Babarvani (Utterances on Babar) compositions, Guru Nanak Sahib documents the human suffering caused by Babar’s invasion of South Asia and places it into the context of IkOankar, 1Force, the Creator.

The Guru says, O Creator! You are the caretaker of all! If the powerful strikes the powerful, then no anger is felt in the mind. Understandably, in moments of grief, people call out directly to the Creator. After all, these ruthless military and political leaders who order horrific acts of violence are themselves utterly subservient to the Creator. However, the Guru offers us a profound and challenging insight: The destruction, suffering, and dramatic shifts of political power are an expression of the greatness of the Creator, who unites, separates, creates, and destroys. In the middle of the turmoil, the Guru continues to feel the awe of IkOankar.

We pause.
We reflect.

The Guru witnessed.
The Guru documented.
The Guru was imprisoned.

Can we imagine ourselves reacting in such a way?
Can we see the 1Ness, the singular perfection in everything?
Can we avoid despair and respond productively?
Can we dwell in Nam, Divine-Identification, to maintain our poise amid suffering?

May we yearn to feel the awe of IkOankar.
May the Wisdom-Guru guide us!

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