It is dawn. In its gentle ascent, the sun begins to grace the flora with a tender touch. Petals bow, tears of dew cascading as they receive the light. In this communion, I embrace the eternal "ੴ," IkOankar, the One, the Divine. I am no longer merely an observer but an intimate part of the cosmic play. Divine vibrations resonate within me, echoing the eternal truths of existence. ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ, Sat Nam, the Eternal Identity, whispers through ancient leaves, kindling a profound awe deep within my being.

As the sun's rays illuminate the world, I feel Sat Nam's timeless presence resonating through the cycles of creation and dissolution. Each dewdrop reflects the eternal dance of life, mirroring the interconnectedness that binds all beings. Sat Nam is an unwavering beacon, embodying the essence of reality beyond the fleeting. Sat Nam, in its eternal presence, remains unaltered by time, untouched by the forces that erode all else. In contrast, the things that are not Sat—temporary and illusory—are like shadows that shift with time, never holding their form. Their very nature makes them false; they entice with the promise of permanence yet inevitably fade, leaving behind the hollowness of their impermanence.

Contemplating ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ, Karta Purakh, the Creative Being, I feel a tender connection to nature's intricate mosaic. The Creator’s brushstrokes paint the sky, and I, a humble participant, revere this unfolding masterpiece. The vastness of creation testifies to divine craftsmanship, breathing life into every leaf, river, and sentient being. Yet, within this grand tapestry, I recognize the transient nature of all created—each moment, each form, reflects something greater yet bound to fade with time. Amid transience, Sat Nam’s eternal presence shines, unyielding and constant. The rivers may change their course, and the leaves may wither and fall, but the truth of the Creator’s essence remains untouched, enduring beyond the temporary forms that arise and dissolve. This eternal truth gives meaning to the fleeting beauty of creation, reminding me that while the physical world is subject to time’s inevitable decay, the divine reality behind it all is timeless, unchanging, and true.

Embraced by ਨਿਰਭਉ, Nirbhau, Fearless, and ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ, Nirvair, Without Enmity, I find a comforting refuge where the illusion of separateness that burdens my heart dissolves. The gentle breeze caress tells stories of unity, harmonizing with the symphony of nature where enmity has no place. In this rhythm of creation, I hear echoes of the eternal harmony within me, a reflection of the divine order that pervades all existence. In the presence of Nirbhau, Fearless, I gain the courage to confront transient fears, recognizing them as false attachments. Nirvair, Without Enmity, dissolves the illusions of division, revealing the eternal connection that binds all life. What transient fears bind us, and how do we find the courage to let them go? In this alignment with Sat Nam, the Eternal Identity, I witness the unity underpinning all existence, where the illusions of separateness fall away, replaced by the clarity of a heart attuned to the timeless rhythm of the universe.

Time, in the presence of ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ, Akal Murat, the Timeless Form, reminds me of my journey's transient nature. The sun rises and sets and seasons change, yet the essence of the eternal remains unaltered, binding me to the timeless spirit connecting every being on this collective journey. Like the rhythmic waves of the ocean, which ebb and flow with the tides, our lives are a continuous cycle of beginnings and endings. The ever-changing moon phases and the endless cycle of birth and decay in nature are gentle reminders of our place within this vast, interconnected universe. Amidst these cycles, Sat Nam, the Eternal Identity, stands unchanging, illuminating the path through the shifting sands of time. Sat Nam anchors me in the ebb and flow of existence, offering a steady light that guides me through the transient, grounding me in the eternal reality that underlies all creation.

ਅਜੂਨੀ, Ajuni, Un-Born;  ਸੈਭੰ, Saibhang, Self-Illumined, beckons me to delve into my consciousness. In quiet introspection, I seek the source of inner illumination, a flame flickering with the eternal light of Sat Nam. Like a mirror reflecting the infinite sky, my spirit catches glimpses of the limitless expanse beyond the material realm. In these profound depths, I encounter the eternality of Sat Nam, understanding that my existence, though fleeting, is part of an eternal dance of creation and dissolution. Each thought and every breath becomes a ripple in the vast sea of consciousness. What illusions obscure this divine expanse, and how do we uncover the infinite within ourselves? In this reflection, I realize I am but a vessel, a transient manifestation of this boundless, eternal consciousness, transcending birth and death.

Guided by ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ, Gur Prasad, the grace of the Wisdom-Guru, I navigate the intricate terrain of spirituality. The Wisdom-Guru is my light, urging me to evolve harmoniously with Sat Nam's divine order and eternality. Principles unfurl like petals, revealing the path to 1Ness—a reality surpassing intellectual oneness, touching the essence of humanity grounded in the eternality of Sat Nam. This journey is like walking through a dense, ancient forest, where every step uncovers hidden pathways and sacred groves of understanding. Each principle is a radiant flower along the path, leading me closer to the heart of existence, Sat Nam. What unseen pathways lie within our consciousness, waiting to be uncovered? Each moment, a sacred invitation to delve deeper, reveals the unity of all things grounded in Sat Nam.

On the Sikhi journey, the Wisdom-Guru is my guiding star, leading to profound understanding. As I plunge into its depths, IkOankar transforms from an abstract idea into a tangible oneness, binding the universe's fabric. The numeric 1, ੧, symbolizes interconnected threads, each representing a unique story in the cosmic mosaic. Like the intricate patterns of a vast mandala, these threads illustrate the harmony and interdependence of all existence. Each story and life contributes to the grand design, revealing the divine artistry. In this interconnected mosaic, I find my place, understanding that my actions, thoughts, and existence are integral parts of this beautiful, eternal creation.

In contemplating the individual cells within the body, I recognize the delicate balance required for harmony. Each cell serves a purpose, contributing to the health and vitality of the whole. When disruptions occur, actions like the body’s response to illness are needed to heal. Just as the immune system rallies to restore balance, so must I address disruptions in our collective existence. In IkOankar’s grand design, every action—whether fostering peace or asserting strength—contributes to collective well-being, akin to cells collaborating within a living organism.

To align with IkOankar is to embrace Hukam, the Command. Recognizing our inseparable connection with others, we perceive society’s stratifications as illusions against the 1, which acknowledges no hierarchy or superiority. IkOankar transcends pacifism, delving into choices that echo existence’s intricate pattern. Human suffering stems from kam-lust, krodh-anger, lobh-greed, moh-emotional attachment, and ahankar-pride—all rooted in humai-ego, the illusion of separation we must wrestle with. In IkOankar’s light, the ego dissipates, revealing profound interconnectedness that transcends individual struggles.

IkOankar, the self-evident 1, stands as Eternal. The Mul Mantar-Root Verse unfolds the attributes of this timeless Being, offering a roadmap to liberation from the ego’s shackles. True freedom lies in living by the principles of 1Ness, harmonizing with divine grace, ease, and elegance. In this radiant glow, the illusions of separation fade, and the symphony of unity resounds.

In the embrace of 1Ness, I find the antidote to human turbulence. The interconnected, interdependent order of existence unfolds, revealing profound wisdom within us. Like drops in the vast ocean, we are part of an eternal cycle—living, dying, and nourishing the Earth. This interconnectedness mirrors the components of a body, a harmonious school of fish, the gravitational pull of a solar system, and the radiant stars of a galaxy. The inverse also holds profound truth—the body, ocean, school, solar system, and galaxy’s infinite wisdom reside within each of us. Thus, we become integral threads in an interconnected order, contributing to an eternal cycle of life, death, and the Earth’s nourishment in a harmonious symphony.

What is the essence of this cosmic play that surpasses human comprehension? True freedom lies in training the mind to feel the 1Ness—to be with the 1 is to transcend the limitations of birth and death, reaching an ultimate state of being where our essence merges with the universe’s boundless consciousness. To be with the 1 is to witness the eternal dance where each drop, each breath, contributes to the radiant whole. May the eternal light of IkOankar guide us to embrace this oneness, dispelling illusions and attuning our hearts to the timeless rhythm of existence.

The “1” we are part of does not distinguish or assign value to each part. To be with the “1” is to reach the ultimate state of being.