This is a vital subject and is regarded as core of the Gurbani; and it also forms a central part of the spiritual messages of many sages and seers of the different religions from time immemorial.

I like to share my thoughts, which are mainly in the background of Gurbani; from readings of some thoughts of intellectuals and of spiritual teachers/leaders of other faiths; and only just a little bit of my own anubhav (that at times I briefly experience with the blessings of Waheguru).

Sehaj (state of bliss) is a special joy emanating from knowing oneself and Universal Self (God/Waheguru) and this overpowers all other joys of senses or worldly possessions:

ਸਭੇ ਵਸਤੂ ਮਿਠੀਆਂ ਰਬ ਨ ਪੁਜਨਿ ਤੁਧੁ ॥੨੭॥ (Salok Farid Ji, GGS. 1379).
sabhae vasathoo mitheeaaan rab n pujan thudhh ||27||

• all these things are sweet, but they are not equal to You. ||27||

We all are longing for inner-happiness in whatever good or bad we do. To go to ‘Sehaj avastha’ one passes through inner-happiness – to Anand – to Sehaj. Sehaj is a state in which one enjoys ‘Divine Ras” and sees the world as God sees it. This can only be possible if we also become godly. And in order to become godly we need to be connected consciously with God (Who though is already present in all the beings). This requires dismantling of our wall of ignorance that separates our Self from the Universal Self (God). This wall of ignorance is the main hindrance and is universally known as ‘dubida’ or ‘ego’ – and the breaking of this wall of ignorance is an act of spiritual liberation, which is not an easy task.

It is necessary for anyone seeking spiritual liberation to find a Guru (a true teacher) to guide about ways and means of liberation (removing dubida and/or getting rid of ego).

For the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is an ideal Guru and for others their scriptures and/or documented experiences of those who attained “Sehaj- Avastha”. All our Gurus, Bhagats and Mahapuraks are living examples of those who enjoyed “Sahaj-Avastha together with a number of people on record who attained this state belonging to other faiths as well, such as in the Hinduism: Sat-Chit-Ananda (Truth-Consciousness and Bliss) expression is prominent and meditation on ‘Om’, ‘Ram’ or other mantras are highly recommended.

A man in Sehaj (in bliss or in profound stillness) always remains the same (calmly active and actively calm) and expresses efficiency, wisdom, love and mercy (par-upkari) and is not bothered by the anomalies of life such as sukh-duk, nindyia-ustat, fear etc. When one tastes the company of God one does not need anyone’s help because one is equipped to make the life-journey oneself by simple ‘Ardas’ – a hotline operating ‘athe-pehar’ with God/Waheguru.

The importance of Sehaj-Avastha is paramount pre-requisite in uniting with Satguru (God) and is also fulfilling in one’s remaining to continue to enjoying this bliss for ever:

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਵਜੀਆ ਵਾਧਾਈਆ ॥ (Raam Kaalalee M. 3, GGS. 917).
sathigur th paaeiaa sehaj saethee man vajeeaa vaadhhaaeeaa ||
I have found the True Guru, with intuitive ease, and my mind vibrates with the music of bliss.

ਸਹਜ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਹੋਆ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਇਆ ॥(Raag Soohee M. 4, GGS 773). sehaj anandh hoaa vaddabhaagee man har har meethaa laaeiaa ||
By great good fortune, celestial bliss is attained, and the Lord, Har, Har, seems sweet to the mind.

ਹਰਿ ਚਉਥੜੀ ਲਾਵ ਮਨਿ ਸਹਜੁ ਭਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥ Raag Soohee M. 4, GGS. 774).
har chouthharree laav man sehaj bhaeiaa har paaeiaa bal raam jeeo ||
In the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, my mind has become peaceful; I have found the Lord.

The Gurbani tells the technique of attaining the state of Sehaj given as under :-

1. By contemplating on Shabd/Nam Japna/Simran (ਮੰਨੁ ਧੋਵਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਾਗਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਰਹਹੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥) and 2. By the grace/nadr of Waheguru (ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਸਹਜੁ ਉਪਜੈ) and 3. On meeting with God (Waheguru)- ਮਨਿ ਅਨਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਵਤ ਸੁਣਿਆ.

ਕਰਮੀ ਸਹਜੁ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਵਿਣੁ ਸਹਜੈ ਸਹਸਾ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥(Raag Raamkalee M. 3, GGS. 918).
karamee sehaj n oopajai vin sehajai sehasaa n jaae ||
By religious rituals, intuitive poise is not found; without intuitive poise, skepticism does not depart.

ਨਹ ਜਾਇ ਸਹਸਾ ਕਿਤੈ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਰਹੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਏ ॥
neh jaae sehasaa kithai sanjam rehae karam kamaaeae ||
Skepticism does not depart by contrived actions; everybody is tired of performing these rituals.

ਸਹਸੈ ਜੀਉ ਮਲੀਣੁ ਹੈ ਕਿਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਧੋਤਾ ਜਾਏ ॥ (919).
sehasai jeeo maleen hai kith sanjam dhhothaa jaaeae ||
The soul is polluted by skepticism; how can it be cleansed?

ਮੰਨੁ ਧੋਵਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਾਗਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਰਹਹੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
mann dhhovahu sabadh laagahu har sio rehahu chith laae ||
Wash your mind by attaching it to the Shabad, and keep your consciousness focused on the Lord.

ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਸਹਜੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਇਹੁ ਸਹਸਾ ਇਵ ਜਾਇ ॥੧੮॥
kehai naanak gur parasaadhee sehaj oupajai eihu sehasaa eiv jaae ||18||

Says Nanak, by Guru’s Grace, intuitive poise is produced, and this skepticism is dispelled. ||18||

ਮੇਰੀ ਸੇਜੜੀਐ ਆਡੰਬਰੁ ਬਣਿਆ ॥ ((Raag Aasaa M. 5, GGS. 459).
maeree saejarreeai aaddanbar baniaa ||
My bed is adorned in splendor.

ਮਨਿ ਅਨਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਵਤ ਸੁਣਿਆ ॥
man anadh bhaeiaa prabh aavath suniaa ||
My mind is filled with bliss, since I heard that God is coming.

Guru Nanak Sahib in Japji sums up that in the state of Bliss (Sehaj) the mind becomes all powerful (ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ GGS 6.) and is capable of coining the Shabad (ਘੜੀਐ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚੀ ਟਕਸਾਲ GGS. 8).

In any field of excellence such as sciences, humanities, arts, poetry, literature where people have explored the creation of God and have achieved extraordinary successes, they all have had a common denominator i.e. being in and enjoying the Sehaj-Avastha.

Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand

kirpal2singh@yahoo.com