Be compassionate to be spiritual

One of the most popular ways of practicing the spiritual path is to go on a pilgrimage. Such places are usually near water bodies, and the devotees go for a cleansing, holy dip. Sadly, even as the devotee seeks out the holy pilgrimage, the mind may continue to be mired in thoughts of anger and envy, and the egoistic self as a silent thief, quietly stealing away the cleansing potential of such a holy visit. Guru Nanak Dev reminds us to be careful: They go and bathe at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, But the mind is still evil, and the body too. Some filth is washed off by bathing; but twice as much may get accumulated. Guru Granth Sahib would have us just be compassionate, and equates that with a visit to all pilgrimages: Be kind and compassionate —this is meritorious, More than bathing at the sixty eight sacred shrines.

Still others seek out saints, but only to accumulate worldly possessions. The scriptures refer to such desires as the four kinds of fruit. These include finding some principles for living, accumulation of wealth, finding means to satisfy desires, and lastly, an attempt to be free of desire. The Guru Granth Sahib says:

One who wants the four fruits, Commit himself to the service of the Saints. But, the final pilgrimage is when the devotee meets the Guide, and the very mind and soul become clean. Guru Granth Sahib quotes the great Maratha saint Namdev:

I need not go on pilgrimage, or bathe in their waters; I do not trouble any beings or creatures. The Guru has shown me the sixty-eight places of pilgrimage within my own heart; That is my cleansing bath.

So, the pilgrimage, visit to a saint, and finding the Guide — all are part of the spiritual journey. Saint Kabeer places these events in this remarkable hierarchy: Get one fruit at the pilgrimage, Get four fruits at the saint’s door; But blessings endless, when you meet the Guide.

This first appeared on 27 July, 2014. The writer is not writing due to unavoidable circumstances.