“Ik” – 1, not two.
Scientists are just beginning to accept what “Gurmat” has been asserting for over 500 years, much like the mystics of old, that everything in existence is a form of vibration, a continuous pulsating, a singular interconnected Universe or Universes.
“Gurmat” asserts “Ongkaar” (“Aum”) as the only 1, singular Ultimate Reality which includes everything manifesting and expressing itself as an interconnected, interdependent duality. The singularity manifests as a vibrations or waves, which at their fundamental level, is considered within “Gurmat”, as the sound “ONG” (variation of” AUM”) giving rise to all Existence.
“Ongkaar” describes the unfolding and cyclic nature of Existence, from creation, growth, destruction and re-creation repeated infinitum with all Existence and as Existence itself known as “Kudrat”.
From this perspective, there is no difference between “you” and “other”, and in fact, “You” are in “God”, and “God” is “you”, we are born in it, live in it and die it, there is no other.
ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਆਕਾਰ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਸਰਗੁਨ ਏਕ
ਏਕਹਿ ਏਕ ਬਖਾਨਨੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ॥੧॥
Nirankaar Aakaar Aap Niragun Saragun Eaek ||~
Eaekehi Eaek Bakhaanano Naanak Eaek Anaek ||1||
Formless and form One without attributes and with attributes
Describe the Oneness as One, and Only One; O Nanak, One is one, yet the many. ||1|| Raag Gauri Guru Arjan Dev Ang250 SGGS
“Ik” (Oneness) “Ongkaar” (“Brahman” expanding Existence) is the Ultimate Reality, whose various manifesting forms make up the world of phenomena and are expressed as the underlying vibration in all existence in “Ongkaar”, the playing out of the process of creation, growth, destruction and re-creation. “Ik” is the fundamental Reality underlying all objects and experiences. Consciousness is not a property of “Ik” or “Brahman” it is its very nature; never was there a time without “Brahman” nor will there ever be a time without “Brahman”. This Oneness is Ultimate Reality, without a second, unborn, and uncreated, beyond the confines of time, undying, self-creating and eternal. “Brahman” is both “Nirgun”, without attributes and formless, yet it is also “Sargun” or all form. Non-duality is the Mother of All Existence and the underlying fabric of all manifestation.
“Brahman” cannot be known objectively, distinct from oneself, but can be experienced directly in the world of changing forms and shapes (sarguna) through self-realisation (“Atam Gyan”).
ਅਚਰਜ ਕਥਾ ਮਹਾ ਅਨੂਪ॥
ਪ੍ਰਾਤਮਾ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਾ ਰੂਪੁ॥ਰਹਾਉ॥
Acharaj Kathhaa Mehaa Anoop ||
Praathamaa Paarabreham Kaa Roop || Rehaao ||
This description is wondrous and incomparable
The very form of the Atma (individualized Consciousness) is Parbraham ||Pause|| Raag Gond Guru Arjan Dev 868 SGGS
The appearance of plurality or duality is as a result of natural state of ignorance (“Avidya”), inherent as the ego-complex develops. The world of experience is real and unreal; real as it is experienced and unreal as it is temporary.
This Reality is obscured by a mental veil, or “Hau”, our conditioned sense of self, our psychological construct of “I am”, which is essential for human functioning and the barrier and boundary preventing the fulfillment of human potential beyond this ego-complex.
ਚੂਕਾ ਪੜਦਾ ਤਾਂ ਨਦਰੀ ਆਇਆ॥
Chookaa Parradhaa Thaan Nadharee Aaeiaa ||
When the veil of illusion is removed, then I come to see You. Raag Bhaira-o: Guru Arjan Dev Ang 1141 SGGS
ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਛੁੜੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਬਿਖੁ ਬਾਧੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਲੇ ਰਾਮ॥
Manamukh Houmai Vishhurrae Maeree Jindhurreeeae Bikh Baadhhae Houmai Jaalae Raam ||
Manmukh (those fused to the content of their Mind) are separated by their ego, O my soul; bound to poison, the ego burns (creates suffering). Ang 538 Raag Bihaagrhaa: Guru Ram Das SGGS
The removal of the illusion of duality and separateness experienced as an absence of one’s sense of separateness facilitates our mental, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing.
ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਇ ਸਹਜੇ ਸੁਖਿ ਸਮਾਈਐ॥
Houmai Dhubidhhaa Binas Jaae Sehajae “Sukh” Samaaeeai || Raag Gauri Bairaagan: Guru Amar Das Ang 163
When egotism and duality are eradicated, one harmoniously merges in peace.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੇਲੇ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਏ॥
Guramukh (Mindfully aware) Maelae Aap Gavaaeae ||
The Gurmukhs shed their Ego and merge. 3. Ang 232 Raag Gauri: Guru Amar Das SGGS
Existence can be considered to be an ocean, while all manifestations within existence are the “ice-cubes” floating in this ocean, made on water and in water. This non-dual worldview has implications for our self-image, self-esteem, responsibilities and engagement in life as highlighted below. In a non-dual state of consciousness, the experience of opposites disappear. In non-dual states of consciousness, duality, as it is experienced in relative existence, disappears, and one enters a great sense of centered awareness and serenity, awareness per se.
It is important to realise that non-dual states of consciousness are relative to the perceiver. Thus, if one experiences non-duality through the heart chakra, one experiences impersonal love together with a deep sense of cosmic connection, where one becomes the “beloved” as everything else is that witnessed.
ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਚੂਕੈ ਮੋਹ ਪਿਆਸ॥
ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਨੁ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਘਰ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥
Gur Miliai Naam Paaeeai Chookai Moh Piaas ||
Har Saethee Man Rav Rehiaa Ghar Hee Maahi Oudhaas ||
Meeting with the Guru, the Naam is obtained, and the thirst of emotional attachment departs.
When the Mind is permeated with Oneness, one remains detached within the home of the heart.
Raag Guru Amar Das Ang 26 SGGS