Mark Cagnon

And because of this idea of sort of this loop that then we're trying to escape from to actually reach mukti, you have this idea of the five thieves or spiritual obstacles that get in the way. One of those is maya. This is the illusion. And that is what gets people stuck in this cycle of rebirth. So in Sikhi, the answer is Maya. And this illusion is significant.

And because of this idea of sort of this loop that then we're trying to escape from to actually reach mukti, you have this idea of the five thieves or spiritual obstacles that get in the way. One of those is maya. This is the illusion. And that is what gets people stuck in this cycle of rebirth. So in Sikhi, the answer is Maya. And this illusion is significant.

Maya is anything that distracts us from divine truth, material wealth, ego, our own carnal desires. It's not that the world in and of itself is evil. It's that people get caught up in these temporary things that we can see and touch like money or status or fame, that they forget that they themselves are eternal. So Guru Nanak taught that the wall of Maya is constructed from five spiritual thieves.

Maya is anything that distracts us from divine truth, material wealth, ego, our own carnal desires. It's not that the world in and of itself is evil. It's that people get caught up in these temporary things that we can see and touch like money or status or fame, that they forget that they themselves are eternal. So Guru Nanak taught that the wall of Maya is constructed from five spiritual thieves.

You have lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride. And these five thieves emerge from what's known as Khumai, literally meaning the the I of myself or the ego. And Chomai causes full separation through these sort of attachments, like I am this or I am that, and it blocks the recognition of this divine oneness. And the ego drives people towards this self-centered living in Sikhi, right?

You have lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride. And these five thieves emerge from what's known as Khumai, literally meaning the the I of myself or the ego. And Chomai causes full separation through these sort of attachments, like I am this or I am that, and it blocks the recognition of this divine oneness. And the ego drives people towards this self-centered living in Sikhi, right?

You have this negativity and this craving of wealth and power, right? And this can attach you to the world and make you forget that you yourself are eternal. This is what the Sikhi believe. Someone dominated by these tendencies is called the Man Muk, meaning facing towards their desire.

You have this negativity and this craving of wealth and power, right? And this can attach you to the world and make you forget that you yourself are eternal. This is what the Sikhi believe. Someone dominated by these tendencies is called the Man Muk, meaning facing towards their desire.

This is someone that has given in to all their desires while here on earth, whether it's the pursuit of fame or money or sex or whatever that is. Guru Nanak identified worldly conflict, whether it's religious or ethnic or cultural, as stemming from the ego and Maya. Alternative to becoming manmuk is to become gurmuk, meaning facing towards the guru.

This is someone that has given in to all their desires while here on earth, whether it's the pursuit of fame or money or sex or whatever that is. Guru Nanak identified worldly conflict, whether it's religious or ethnic or cultural, as stemming from the ego and Maya. Alternative to becoming manmuk is to become gurmuk, meaning facing towards the guru.

And this transformation happens by cultivating these sort of five truths. This is known as compassion or a orientation towards truth itself or contentment, humility, and love. Combined with divine meditation, these virtues can help someone overcome the ego, overcome this wall, these thieves. So with this, you might be wondering, how am I supposed to actually live like this?

And this transformation happens by cultivating these sort of five truths. This is known as compassion or a orientation towards truth itself or contentment, humility, and love. Combined with divine meditation, these virtues can help someone overcome the ego, overcome this wall, these thieves. So with this, you might be wondering, how am I supposed to actually live like this?

How do you actually implement compassion and truth and contentment and humility and love into your everyday life? Well, Sikhism has a structured path for this transformation known as the three pillars. Now, the three pillars are a spiritual practice that centers on these fundamental principles.

How do you actually implement compassion and truth and contentment and humility and love into your everyday life? Well, Sikhism has a structured path for this transformation known as the three pillars. Now, the three pillars are a spiritual practice that centers on these fundamental principles.

So you have the first, Nam Japo, and this means meditating on God by repeating and reflecting the divine name, Vaheguru. Now, this practice or this meditation is usually done in the morning and the evening, but But it's more than just saying a word over and over. It's about staying mindful of God's presence and the qualities of this one God throughout daily life. And then you have the Karat Karni.

So you have the first, Nam Japo, and this means meditating on God by repeating and reflecting the divine name, Vaheguru. Now, this practice or this meditation is usually done in the morning and the evening, but But it's more than just saying a word over and over. It's about staying mindful of God's presence and the qualities of this one God throughout daily life. And then you have the Karat Karni.

And this is about earning an honest living through integrity and hard work. So Guru Nanak put it simply as this. Only he who earns his living by the sweat of his brow and shares his earnings with others has discovered the path of righteousness. And then you have wand chakna. And this means sharing what you have with others.

And this is about earning an honest living through integrity and hard work. So Guru Nanak put it simply as this. Only he who earns his living by the sweat of his brow and shares his earnings with others has discovered the path of righteousness. And then you have wand chakna. And this means sharing what you have with others.

So this includes feeding the hungry or helping those that are in need or supporting your local community. And the Sikh practice of langar, which is these free meals served at every gudwara, is a living example of this value in action. So the langar serves free vegetarian food to all visitors, regardless of their faith or background.

So this includes feeding the hungry or helping those that are in need or supporting your local community. And the Sikh practice of langar, which is these free meals served at every gudwara, is a living example of this value in action. So the langar serves free vegetarian food to all visitors, regardless of their faith or background.