“Hukam” – The Divine Balancing Imperative
The literal meaning of “Hukam” is command or divine command. In “Gurmat”, the issuer of the command, Unchanging Consciousness in non-dual joy, is not separate from the command itself. In other words, the commander and the command are the same. “Hukam” is an ever-evolving manifestation of the now. “Hukam”categorically presupposes and implies a direction and a goal in its creative movement.”Hukam” is synonymous with”Naam”or Presence.
“Hukam” is the organic ever-evolving manifestation of the now. Through cultivating awareness of the present moment unfolding and recognising “Hukam” and impermanence are we able to ultimately by liberated from both attachments and ego.
“Hukam” is the holistic universal principle of continuous cyclic states of change underlying all existence, from the creation of universes to the interactions in everyday living. This imperative universal law is inscribed within Existence and is expressed as the continuous moment by moment unfolding of all creation. It is as a result of “Hukam” one takes birth, “Hukam” is the process of creation, growth, death and re-birth. The experience of”time” is the unfolding “Hukam”. “Hukam” itself cannot be described, yet can be directly experienced and realized.
“Hukam” is the process of evolution, of becoming or evolving together in an interconnected undivided wholeness.
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ॥
“Hukam”ai Andhar Sabh Ko Baahar “Hukam” N Koe ||
Everything is subjectto “Hukam”; nothing is beyond “Hukam”. Guru Nanak Dev Ang1 SGGS
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਇਆ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਦੀਸੈ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ॥
ਹੁਕਮੇਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਕਲਾ ਰਹਾਇਦਾ॥੧੦॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਧਉਲ ਸਿਰਿ ਭਾਰੰ॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਗੈਣਾਰੰ॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਖੇਲ ਖੇਲਾਇਦਾ॥੧੧॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਡਾਣੇਆਗਾਸੀ॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜਲ ਥਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਵਾਸੀ॥
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਸਾਸ ਗਿਰਾਸ ਸਦਾ ਫੁਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਦੇਖਿ ਦਿਖਾਇਦਾ॥੧੨॥
Hukamae Aaeiaa “Hukam” Samaaeiaa ||
Hukamae Dheesai Jagath Oupaaeiaa ||
Hukamae Surag Mashh Paeiaalaa “Hukam”ae Kalaa Rehaaeidhaa ||10||
Hukamae Dhharathee Dhhoul Sir Bhaaran ||
Hukamae Poun Paanee Gainaaran ||
Hukamae Siv Sakathee Ghar Vaasaa “Hukam”ae Khael Khaelaaeidhaa ||11||
Hukamae Jal Thhal Thribhavan Vaasee ||
Hukamae Saas Giraas Sadhaa Fun “Hukam”ae Dhaekh Dhikhaaeidhaa ||12||
Through Hukam one comes, through “Hukam” one merges into Existence again.
Through Hukam Existence is formed.
Through Hukam the heavens, universes and nether regions are created; “Hukam” supports them. ||10||
Hukam is the mythical bull which supports the burden of the earth on its head.
Through Hukam air, water and fire came into being.
Through Hukam one dwells in the house of matter and energy – Shiva and Shakti.
Through Hukam this play is played. ||11||
Through Hukam space is abound
Through Hukam life dwell in the water, land and throughout the three worlds.
Through Hukam we draw our breath and receive our food; Through Hukam we are taken care of and inspired to see. ||12| Raag Maaroo Guru Nanak Dev Ang1037 SGGS
One important aspect of Realityis”Tat”, or suchness/existence. According to “Gurmat” impermanence isthe constant process of change through creation, growth, destruction and, recreation as endless cycles within cycles binding all existence, including human beings within one unchanging wholeness or Ultimate Reality.
ਪੇਖੁ ਹਰਿਚੰਦਉਰੜੀ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ॥
Paekh Harichandhourarree Asathhir Kishh Naahee ||
Behold – the world is a mirage; nothing here is permanent. Guru Arjan DevAng 461 SGGS
Impermanence or change is the essential characteristic of all phenomenal existence, a continuous process happening in the moment of now. Not recognizing the changing and impermanent nature of Reality is a central feature of psychological suffering. Attachment to ideas, thoughts, objects, people, relationships and life itself leads to suffering, whereas, recognizing the changing nature of existence and cultivating non-attachment is a key to inner peace and contentment.
Non acceptance and resistance to “the way things are” is the root cause of psychological suffering. By recognizing, understanding and accepting the nature of Reality, particularly impermanency, we can develop a less resistant attitude. We can thereby develop the ability to see things for how they are and move towards less psychological suffering.
ਸਭੁ ਇਕੋ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਮੰਨਿਐ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈ॥੩॥
Sabh Eiko Hukam Varathadhaa Manniai Sukh Paaee ||3||
The One Hukam is all-pervasive accepting it one finds peace. ||3|| Guru Amar Das Ang 948 SGGS
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਮਾਨੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਮਾਇਦਾ॥੯॥
Guramukh Hoe So Hukam Pashhaanai Maanai Hukam Samaaeidhaa ||9||
One who becomes Gurmukh realizes the Hukam, through its acceptancemerges (two becomes one). ||9|| Guru Nanak Dev Ang 1037 SGGS
The self-realized or “Gurmukhs” are attuned to cycles of change, aware of their temporary place in the web of existence. They act accordingly without the need to grasp at every pleasant experience and avoid every unpleasant experience.
Gourree Mehalaa 5 ||
Gauree, Fifth Mehl:
Jaa Kai Dhukh Sukh Sam Kar Jaapai ||
Thaa Ko Kaarraa Kehaa Biaapai ||1||
Those who look alike upon pleasure and pain
how can anxiety touch them? ||1||Raag Gauri Guru Arjan Dev Ang 186 SGGS
pourree ||
mamaa jaahoo maram pashhaanaa || bhaettath saadhhasa(n)g patheeaanaa ||
dhukh Sukh ouaa kai samath beechaaraa ||
narak surag Rehath aouthaaraa ||
thaahoo sa(n)g thaahoo niralaepaa ||
pooran ghatt ghatt purakh bisaekhaa ||
ouaa ras mehi ouaahoo Sukh paaeiaa ||
naanak lipath nehee thih maaeiaa ||42||
Pauree:
MAMMA: Those who understand Existences mystery are satisfied, joining the Saadh Sangat (company of self-realised), the Company of the Holy.
They look upon pleasure and pain as the same.
They are exempt from incarnation into heaven or hell.
They live in the world, and yet they are detached from it.
The Sublime Lord, the Primal Being, is totally pervading each and every heart.
In His Love, they find peace.
O Nanak, Maya does not cling to them at all. ||42||
Recognizing “Hukam” as the continuous process responsible for all forms, all creation, growth, destruction, pleasure, suffering, life and all its processes and for inspiring one to discover and recognize it for what it is helps dissolve our ego, sense of separation.
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਤਤੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ॥
Hukamai Boojhai Thath Pashhaanai ||
Whoever understands the “Hukam” realizes the essence of Reality. Raag Malar Guru Nanak Dev Ang1289 SGGS
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ॥੨॥
Hukamai Andhar Sabh Ko Baahar Hukam N Koe ||
Naanak Hukamai Jae Bujhai Th Houmai Kehai N Koe ||2||
Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command.
O Nanak, one who understands His Command, does not speak in ego. ||2|| Jap Guru Nanak Dev Ang1 SGGS