Waiting for the Bus

Yesterday my university lecture on Global Religious Politics was at 2pm. I didn't read the timetable carefully. I arrived at the Theology Department (which is separate to the main University of Birmingham campus) with 5 minutes to spare. I rang reception to find out where about the room for my lecture was. The lady said, "You are at the WRONG CAMPUS. You need to go to BIO-SCIENCES BUILDING at main campus." My mind thought "O deary me! What a HEADACHE! I just about got here in the RAIN, now I have to go all the way back to the main campus." I eventually got to the lecture but was 15 minutes late.

Then after the lecture I had to go all the way back to the Theology Department in the other campus to hand in a form. Before I set off I got collected a student bus pass from the Student Services Office, which entitles students free transport between the two university campuses. By the time I got to my campus I was TOO LATE! The Theology department office closes at 5pm, and I had just arrived at 5.02pm. Waheguru! Then I had to get a bus back to near the main campus to go and see Dhadi Master Pardeep Singh jee and baakee Sangat.

Getting the bus back was a NIGHTMARE! I stood waiting for the Number 45 Bus, which was the bus that was free with the student bus pass. 20 minutes had passed and I was thinking, "Can it be any LONGER?" Then I looked closely at the notice at the bus stop and I realised that Number 45 bus DOESN'T stop there! Rab Bhalla Kare! I wasted 20 minutes standing there. Then I walked to the next bus stop, which I checked before waiting. However, I didn't pay notice to HOW LONG it takes till the next bus arrives. I waited 20 minutes and thought, "Hey Mannaa (O mind)! What's happening! This bus is taking a LONG TIME, no wonder why it is free bus!" I got fed up and ended up walking to Dhadi Master Sahib jee's Halls of Residence.

While I was walking the thought came across my mind that I've just WASTED so much time WAITING for the bus. However it was my fault because the first incidence I was waiting at the wrong bus stop and the second incidence I had missed bus and had to wait for the next chance to catch the bus. Similarly, in life we are sometimes at the wrong place or wrong mindset, yet we expect happiness and peace, like I expected the Number 45 bus to arrive the Number 61 and 64 bus stops. However, instead we end up blaming Guru jee that "You have let me down! I haven't got what I wanted." Little do we realise that we needed the wisdom and understanding that in order for the medicine of Shabad to work on the mind, one need's to follow the prescription or follow the necessary conditions given by the Divine Doctor for the medicine to work. There is no point taking medicine when the doctor said not to eat oily foods but you decide to eat Ahloo Wale Poratay everyday.

ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਆਨ ਲਾਗਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੋ ਡਾਰਿ ਭੂਮਿ ਪਾਗਹਿ ॥
gobind ti-aag aan laagehi amrito daar bhoom paagehi.
You have forsaken Vaheguru, the Lord of the Universe, and become attached to another - you are throwing away Amrit, the spiritual-life giving Nectar, to take dust.

ਬਿਖੈ ਰਸ ਸਿਉ ਆਸਕਤ ਮੂੜੇ ਕਾਹੇ ਸੁਖ ਮਾਨਿ ॥੧॥
bikhai ras si-o aaskat moorhay kaahay sukh maan. ||1||
What do you expect from corrupt pleasures? You fool! What makes you think that they will bring peace? ||1||
(Ang 1303)

Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee has given us the roadmap for a perfect life. If we want peace and happiness then we got to get on the bus of the Guru, i.e. the Shabad Guru (the Divine Infinite Wisdom). However, one needs to know who the Guru is and where to find him, just like finding the right bus stop - this is through Gurmat Vichaar (contemplating on the Guru's Teachings). Then one needs a valid ticket, which is Amrit and keeping Gurmat Rehit (discipline) - through which you get the credits to travel, which is Naam.

ਖਰਚੁ ਬੰਨੁ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਮਤੁ ਮਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਕਲੁ ॥
kharach bann chang-aa-ee-aa mat man jaaNehi kal.
Gather up merits for your travelling expenses, and do not think of tomorrow in your mind.
(Ang 595)

Moral that Daas learnt: One should not waste life, like I wasted standing at the wrong bus stop. It is important to have knowledge of Reality and Truth, which is only possible through the True Perfect Guru, i.e. Satguru Sri Granth Sahib jee. Then one is able to establish that in order to travel and pass life easily, enjoyably and with happiness, it is only possible through the True Guru.

Bhul Chuk Maaf