Sikhism is, therefore, based on the following Three Basic Principles -
(a) There is One God, Who is Eternal, the Creator of all and everything. His Existence is from Himself. There is None beside Him. All the creation has come from Him alone. God is the Creator, and ever creates more and more. His Expanse has no limitations. It is so staggering, one is bewildered and perplexed even to think of His Vastness. THERE IS THUS ONLY ONE REALITY. THE MYRIAD OF FORCES THAT EMANATED FROM HIM, HAVE NO INDEPENDENT EXISTENCE.. WE THUS COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT GOD IS THE ONLY REALITY, WHO IS INFINITELY INFINITE, AND IS CREATIVE. THE TEACHINGS ARE THAT A DEVOTEE OF GOD SHOULD ENGAGE HIMSELF IN CREATIVE WORK TO SERVE HIS FELLOW MEN. THOSE WHO DO NOT ENGAGE IN CREATIVE WORK, NECESSARILY ENGAGE THEMSELVES IN DESTRUCTIVE WORK IN JEALOUSY OF THEIR RIVALS. ENERGY IN MAN MUST HAVE ITS OUTLET. WE LOVE MATERIAL THINGS, WHICH SUSTAIN US. IN THIS ATTACHMENT, WE DO FOOLISH THINGS AND DESTROY OURSELVES. MATTER IS LIFELESS, LOVE OF MATTER MAKES US LIFELESS. GOD IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIFE - LOVE LIFE AGAINST DEATH.
(b) Adjustment to the Will of God. Man is crown of God's creation, who has been given distinct separate individuality, has the basic needs to be fulfilled, to enable him to exist. There are the myriad forces of Nature that exist, which are for his sustenance. The uncertainties of life make man selfish in pursuit of his needs, and he begins to consider that acquisition of these things is the end all of his life. This creates the Wall of Falsehood in Man, which makes him Selfish and an evil doer, thus separates him from his Source, God. How this Wall of Falsehood can be demolished and man can become Truthful and be one with his Source, God? The answer given is to live with God, Who is manifest everywhere and in each of the living beings. God is present within all, as His Light shines in all, which gives them the life. There is no difference in Qualities, between the Absolute God and His Light, which shines in all creatures. Man by reflecting his self (mind) in love and devotion on His Light within him, and by adjusting his self with His Commands or Will, and acting accordingly, become One with God, from Whom he has been separated. ACCEPTANCE OF HIS WILL CHEERFULLY IN ALL WALKS OF HUMAN LIFE, IS THE KEY FACTOR FOR MAN'S REDEMPTION FROM HIS VARIED ENTANGLEMENTS AND TO GET UNITED WITH GOD, HIS SOURCE. We cannot trade with God, accept one thing and deny another - that will be no love. We must have full reliance on His doings - He is our True Parent and All Wisdom.
(c) Life of Independence - Freedom from All Attachments - Total Reliance on God, Who is his Real Self. God after the act of creation, remains unaffected from the effect of Matter (Maya) and continues to be Immaculate. He does not take birth or die. His Light is present everywhere and in all equally. Like Absolute God, His Light though present in all living beings, remains aloof or detached from the effect of the emotional life of the creatures. Man is required while living in the world of Matter, work for his own livelihood and not lean on others for physical needs. He should lead an independent life totally attuned with his Creator, thus rising above all types of prejudices. God is equally present in all, and has no prejudices; treats all equally. This part of the Teachings mean -
- A renewed birth with Divine heritage - a new birth every-day in union with God.
- A desire for more vigorous independent mode of life, with creative activity.
- To abjure the ascetic way of inertia and inactivity and to have a positive view of life.
- Forsaking of dependency of all types.
Adjustment is the first requisite for normality in human behavior, in terms of getting along well with ourselves, with others and with our work. This leads to good spiritual and mental health. It means leading a happy life, not being sad and depressed most of the time, not being over anxious or worried about things, but discharging duties efficiently, truthfully, and sincerely, irrespective of their results, with a detached mind. The depressed mind is full of emotional turmoil, frustration, conflict, unhappiness, lack of achievement, sense of failure, and so on. The negative traits lead one down-hill and toward total wreck. If one were to accept himself and adjust to the situation and ever cherishing the positive values of the life in contemplation of his Creator, the things will change and bring about well contented happy life by His Grace.