ਕੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਆਮ ਸਮਝ (common-sense) ਹੈ? । Is Gurbani just common-sense?

I have recently heard some Sikhs say, "Sikhi is common sense", and "Gurbani is common sense". But is it really? 

Firstly, the word common, by definition, suggests that common sense is held universally or by the majority of people. But the idea that if most people think something makes sense then it must be correct has been disproven time and time again! Furthermore, it is often people who might be accused of not having 'common sense' who prove that what is 'common sense' is not only lacking sense, but is also completely wrong. 

Secondly, is common sense really common? Everybody's perception of common sense is different, even with the same religious community. For example, for someone living in the West it may be common sense to drink alcohol and eating meat is okay for fun and enjoyment. However, for a Sikh it would be common sense that it is categorically wrong to drink alcohol and unnecessarily kill animals for pleasing one's taste buds. More seriously, it is common sense for people that if someone is not the same religion as you, it's okay to beat and even kill them. It's pretty clear, that everyone's perception of what is common sense is different. Therefore, common sense, and even logic, depends on where the individual is basing their 'sense' and 'logic'. This sounds more subjective than objective!

Now, is the Truth subjective or objective? If subjective, then someone could argue that people who pray to idols are right for doing so because that is the truth for them and make sense to them. However, if the Truth is objective, then it doesn't matter what anyone says, believes, thinks or senses, the Truth is the Truth, even if the whole world gets it wrong!

This leads on to the discussion of people making assertions that "Sikhi is logical," which is being thrown around quite a lot nowadays. Before, even I thought there was nothing wrong with saying this. However, again, with time the understanding came that logic is subjective, not objective. Someone's logic says that it is perfectly okay for an elderly man to marry an eleven-year-old girl. Someone's logic says that it is okay to eat cats, dogs and rats. Everyone's logic is not the same. Regarding individual intellect, logic and common sense. Guru Ji says:

ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਤਿਆਗਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬੂਝਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਰੇ ॥
"O humble servants of the Lord! Renounce the intellectual cleverness of your mind; peace is found understanding the Lord's Hukam, Divine-Commands."
(Gauree M:5, Ang 209)

What is the testing ground for logic? Our own imperfect minds, or something greater than us all? The Greatest of the Great is Vahiguru, the Almighty. For a Sikh, their logic and sense of what is right and wrong is based on Gurbani, not on science, not on someone's personal perception, not on a community's perception, and not based on man-made laws. Gurbani says:

ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੇਰਾ ॥
"The intellect to identify what is good and bad is obtained from the True Guru; and the Guru reveals the spiritual wisdom of God."
(Todee M:4, Ang 711)

Finally, to equate the soch (ideology) of Sikhi or the divine-revelations of Gurbani as just a 'common' (ਆਮ) thing, undermines Sikhi and Gurbani. Human minds and human experiences are limited, but we cannot put a limit of Gurbani and the Power of Vahiguru. For people 100 years ago, it would be a miracle to say someone can travel to the moon, and for someone be against human logic. For people 50 years ago, it would be a miracle to say that someone could see your face on a device on the other side of the world and you could talk! What was then a miracle, is understood today as someone very much possible and achievable. Why? Because our understanding has developed.

Vahiguru can make a dead person can back alive, and make a living person dead. Vahiguru can change the laws of nature for His devotees. Vahiguru has the Power to do anything. The Guru is no less, for the Guru is Vahiguru revealed on earth. Vahiguru showed Himself and spoke to the world through the bodies of the Ten Gurus, and today Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sikhi doesn't believe in miracles? Really? Sikhi doesn't believe in performing miracles to please others or increase one's ego. But life is full of miracles, history is full of miracles and Gurbani is full of miracles. Where one's own limited sense and logic ceases to be able to comprehend or explain something, that can be understood to be a miracle.


Note: Upcoming post will be on miracles and Gurbani.