We Are Energy

There is a fundamental question that needs to be asked in order for us to have any idea of how to proceed with our lives. On this question hinges the entire philosophy of anyone who aspires to something more than the ordinary and the mundane.

The question is: What is life?

For example, if we made a robot, and gave it a computer brain with artificial intelligence that was even more capable than a human brain, would it be considered alive? The answer is an emphatic ‘no’.

If we look at all the things that we consider alive, like plants, animals, birds and humans, do we find any common factor that we can say constitutes a definition of life? To the casual observer there may be no obvious commonality. The bodies we see are all substantially different and their capabilities and fields of activity are also quite different.

In fact the key element that defines something as alive does not originate in this world at all. We have to look elsewhere for it. It is called soul. This soul is often referred to as a drop from the divine ocean. It is, in fact, identical in nature to that of the Lord but has become degraded in its association with mind and matter.

Actually, the reality behind everything in the universe is an endless energy field that is the Lord in his dynamic form, and he is absolutely aware of everything that happens in his domain, and is in absolute control. There is no second power at all – everything is in his hands.

A clue to this astounding reality was put forward in a mathematical formula by Albert Einstein. His famous, though much misunderstood formula E=mc2 provides a direct relationship between matter (mass) and energy. And the formula goes both ways: if matter can be converted to energy, then energy can also become matter. Similarly, on a significantly higher level, that pure energy which we call divine can, and does, devolve into gross matter. This is how the creation was made.

However, it is not possible to experience this reality in the realm of the material universe. Only within ourselves lies the means by which we can do this. We ourselves originated in, and came from, that pure light but we became so entranced by the dance of the material creation that we identified with it and started to believe that we are, in fact, this physical body and have become tied to its beginning and its end. So average human beings live in terror of death because they see it as being the end.

In truth though, both this body and the entire physical creation do not actually exist independently – it is all a display of energy devolving into matter and then returning to its natural state. Great Master, in Spiritual Gems says:

From Sach Khand, the whole creation looks like bubbles forming and disappearing in the spiritual ocean.

What makes it an illusion is that all of this is taking place in one dimension – that of time. Time is another name for Kal, the ruler of all that takes shape and form in the realms governed by time. Only when we rise to the level where time no longer exists can we see the illusion for what it truly is.

Now this is all very well in theory, but we find ourselves in a situation where we are in what appears to be a solid and real universe, in a solid and real body, so how do we get past that?

Knowing things intellectually and actually realizing them are obviously not the same thing, and just knowing about something is not particularly useful. So how do we proceed if we want to be more than this limited mind/body combination? How do we reach a point where we can actually see the illusion for what it is, and in so doing, realize the truth about our real selves?

As souls wandering in the shadow world of the material, and separated from the regions of light and pure energy, we are truly lost. We have no idea about those regions and only know the trials and tribulations of the wheel of coming and going in this world. Ground under the weight of our accumulated karmas, we are helpless to escape the bonds of our condition and remain ignorant of any solution.

In this state of misery, the heartsore soul cries out for help, to be rescued from this impossible predicament. As mentioned earlier, everything exists within the Lord’s domain as manifestations of his divine light, so he immediately registers the cry of the soul. All the souls in creation are his and are there as a function of his will. So, when he sees a soul reach that point where it cries out in distress, he immediately responds by sending his messenger of light.

It is the advent of the light-bearer into our lives that is the turning point in our otherwise tragic story. When he comes to us, he takes us by the hand and claims us for his own. From that moment onwards we are never alone – he accompanies us every step of our way. He guides us on the path that leads us back to the levels of light where we truly belong.

So the true life can be experienced only within. And this life may be accessed by following the instructions of our Master. The essence of his teachings is that we are to raise our attention to the eye centre and contact the Shabd resounding there. By Shabd practice alone will all our outstanding karmic debts be eliminated, thus clearing the way for us to progress into the upper spiritual regions, finally to merge in our creator and experience the bliss of eternal life, one with the One.