Morning Contemplations by Bhagat Kabir

Kabir Das also known as Bhagwan Kabir

Who Is Kabir

Kabir is a 15th century poet and mystic, revered as a "Sant" or even "Bhagwan" (God in human form) by his followers. His influence is extensive, crossing barriers of belief systems as well as time and space in that his teachings are as relevant today as they were during the time he was alive. His words and teachings sill hold enormous influence on many Hindus, South Asian Muslims, Sikhs, and Yogis. Kabir Panthis (followers of Kabir) transcend religion, as they are people that come from all faiths, and can be found throughout the subcontinent, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

In the 1300s to 1700s in India, during a time of Islamic invasions followed by Colonialism was a time in India referred to as a "Bhakti Movement" wherein many Spiritual Masters of their time, reflecting upon swathes of spiritual tradition, began to defy the concept of Organized Religion, openly criticize the "Priest Class" within religious traditions, ritualism, dogmas, all while promoting the concepts of Universal Love, Humanity, and Spirituality. Like Kabir, much of their work survives today in the form of teachings (the teachings of the Masters) and stories (the life stories of the Masters).

Kabir's teachings are a style of poetry that is both devotional and extremely philosophical as he uses metaphorical language to convey profound spiritual truths. His writings continually question and criticize the rituals, dogmas and practices found within Hinduism and Islam, all while emphasizing the importance of personal devotion and inner experience. His teachings do more than just promote "religious tolerance" and "social justice"; it asks for the transformation of each individual to be their best self and calls out the hypocrisy in all that veers off the path of Love and Devotion. Below are his writings are found in the Sikh Guru Granth Sahib and Kabir's Bijak (collection of writings compiled by Kabir Panthis after his death).

At a time of heightened tension within the world of politics wherein media wants to divide people through social, political, and religious lens; and through social media wherein everyone is suddenly an 'expert' on topics they know nothing about, all while adding to the hate and division that permeates, rather than diffusing or reducing it, there is a lot of comfort found in the words of Kabir .

These are morning contemplations, to remind the self of who we actually are and to live in the wholesomeness of the self. I've left the Gurmukhi intact and put the English translation below the Gurmukhi in bold for easy reading. If anyone has ideas to improve the presentation of spiritual writings for easier understanding when reading, please send me message or comment. Thank you!

ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ ॥

Contemplations at First Light

ਅਵਲਿ ਅਲਹ ਨੂਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ aval alah noor upaa-i-aa kudrat kay sabh banday.

First Allah revealed the Light and from that nature came everything

ਏਕ ਨੂਰ ਤੇ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਕਉਨ ਭਲੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਦੇ ॥੧॥ ayk noor tay sabh jag upji-aa ka-un bhalay ko manday. ||1||

So if everything has the some life source who can decide to call others good or bad?

ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥

People: don’t let doubt/fear lead you astray

ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

The Creator that Created this Creative Creation lives within it and ever present and all pervading. Pause and Reflect.

ਮਾਟੀ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸਾਜਨਹਾਰੈ ॥

Like a potter using the clay to make pots so we are creatures fashioned from the same elements.

ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਮਾਟੀ ਕੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਕੁੰਭਾਰੈ ॥੨॥

Just like each pot is always slightly different/imperfect and and not faulty like we are different/imperfect and not faulty.

ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਸਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਈ ॥

This eternal Truth lives in all and all the doings occur because of this.

ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ਸੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ਬੰਦਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥

The one who recognizes the Order knows the One is the all doer.

ਅਲਹੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗੁੜੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਮੀਠਾ ॥

The virtues of Allah are too vast to be listed or wholly comprehended, this is the sweet divine widom shared by the Guru.

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੰਕਾ ਨਾਸੀ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਡੀਠਾ ॥੪॥੩॥

Kabir says, I have visualized the immaculate God in all and now my doubts (in seeing the differences in all types of people) has vanished. ||4||3||