Dr. Iqbaldeep Sona Kaur
Victoria BC, Canada
(driqbaldeep@hotmail.com)
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, provided timeless spiritual guidance on resilience, equanimity, detachment, and inner peace. His teachings, found in the Guru Granth Sahib, offer valuable insights into emotional and mental well-being. These teachings align remarkably well with modern understandings of mindfulness, emotional regulation, and resilience, providing a roadmap for managing stress and cultivating inner calm. Let’s revisit what Guru Ji wanted us to practice every day.
Fearlessness and Compassion
Guru Ji emphasizes the need to live without fear and refrain from instilling fear in others:
ਭੈ ਕਾਹੂ ਕਉ ਦੇਤ ਨਹਿ ਨਹਿ ਭੈ ਮਾਨਤ ਆਨ॥ (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1427)
“One who fears no one and frightens none.”
This line promotes self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one’s capacity to handle challenges. According to research, people with strong self-efficacy tend to manage stress better and maintain emotional stability. Guru Ji’s wisdom suggests that cultivating a fear-free mind fosters resilience and encourages compassionate relationships, creating an emotionally balanced life.
Equanimity in Pleasure and Pain
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji emphasizes that true mental stability lies in not being swayed by life’s dualities:
ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਦੁਖ ਮੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
ਸੁਖ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਅਰੁ ਭੈ ਨਹੀ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕੰਚਨ ਮਾਟੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥ (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 633)
“That man, who in the midst of pain, does not feel pain, who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear, and who looks alike upon gold and dust.”.”
This teaching reflects emotional regulation, the ability to manage emotions without over- amplifying or suppressing them. Research shows that effective emotional regulation leads to greater mental health and reduced stress. By treating joy and sorrow, success and failure, as equal, Guru Ji’s teaching helps us avoid emotional highs and lows, contributing to a steady and peaceful mind.
Meditation for Inner Peace
A fundamental psychological principle is the practice of meditation and mindfulness-being fully present in the moment without judgment. Guru Ji teaches that meditating on the Divine alleviates suffering:
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜੁ ਮਨਾ ਜਿਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਜਲ ਕਉ ਮੀਨੁ ||੧|| (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1426)
“Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; immerse your mind in Him, like the fish in the water.”
Mindfulness meditation, like Simran (meditation on the Divine), is known to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting self-awareness. Meditation fosters mental clarity and calm, helping to center the mind and bring clarity in stressful times. Guru Ji’s teaching encourages regular meditation as a means to cultivate mental clarity, resilience, and inner calm.
Detachment from Materialism
Guru Ji warns against attachment to material possessions:
ਧਨੁ ਦਾਰਾ ਸੰਪਤਿ ਸਗਲ ਜਿਨਿ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨਿ॥
ਇਨ ਮੈ ਕਛੁ ਸੰਗੀ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚੀ ਜਾਨਿ ॥ (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1426)
“Your wealth, spouse, and all the possessions which you claim as your own- none of these shall go along with you in the end. O Nanak, know this as true.”
Research suggests that excessive materialism is linked to lower well-being and higher rates of depression and anxiety. Guru Ji’s advice reminds us to focus on what truly fulfills us rather than transient, material pursuits, fostering gratitude, contentment, and a reduction in anxiety over losses. Focusing on non-material sources of happiness like personal growth, and spiritual satisfaction fosters gratitude, contentment, and a reduction in anxiety over losses.
Acceptance of Impermanence
Guru Ji also speaks of the impermanent nature of this world:
ਚਿੰਤਾ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਜੋ ਅਨਹੋਨੀ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਇਹੁ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ | (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1429)
“People become anxious, when something unexpected happens. This is the way of the world, O Nanak; nothing is stable or permanent.”
This teaching supports emotional independence. Understanding that the worldly affairs, including all materials and relationships are impermanent, reduces dependence on others for happiness and fosters resilience. Guru Ji’s guidance encourages self-reliance, leading to lasting peace and emotional well-being.
Practical Steps for Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Based on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s teachings, here are some practical steps we can take daily to cultivate emotional and mental wellness:
Practice Fearlessness and Compassion: Act with courage, even in challenging situations, and refrain from intimidating others. This can help develop confidence and foster kind, supportive relationships.
- Maintain Equanimity: When experiencing joy or sorrow, remind yourself that both states are temporary. This awareness helps in regulating emotions and maintaining mental peace.
- Set Aside Time for Meditation: Spend a few minutes each day meditating or mindfulness, focusing on positive thoughts or on a divine connection. Meditation and living in the present moment can help center the mind and bring clarity in stressful times.
- Limit Material Attachment: Evaluate your desires for material things and prioritize non-material sources of happiness like relationships, personal growth, and spiritual satisfaction.
- Embrace Impermanence in Relationships: Appreciate your relationships but recognize that true contentment lies within. This mindset fosters resilience and prepares us to face changes without emotional distress.
Conclusion
The spiritual teachings from Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s bani are deeply intertwined with psychological principles that promote mental health and emotional well-being. From mindfulness and resilience to emotional regulation and compassion, his teachings offer a timeless guide to living a balanced and meaningful life. By reflecting on these spiritual truths and integrating them into our daily lives, we can navigate life’s challenges with a sense of inner peace, compassion, and clarity. These timeless teachings encourage a life rooted in mindfulness, emotional regulation, and spiritual fulfillment. These can help us foster both psychological and spiritual growth, ultimately leading to a more harmonious existence.
