Often we go through life without realizing that each of us has a greater purpose. There is a story from history about Alexander the Great. In 333 B.C. he was marching with his army through Asia in an attempt to conquer the world. One winter day he arrived at a city called Gordium where an ancient legend predicted that whosoever could untie a large knot that had been fastened many years before would become conqueror of Asia. This being Alexander’s cherished goal, he thought that if anyone were to untie the knot it would surely be him.
The people of the village brought Alexander to the palace where an ox-cart was tied to a post. The cart was an ancient offering by King Midas in gratitude to the gods for making his father—who had been a poor man—king of that land. Alexander approached the famous Gordian Knot, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not loosen it. Finally, in frustration and anger, he pulled out his sword and severed the knot. The prophecy came true, and Alexander went on to conquer Asia.
This is where the phrase about untying the Gordian knot first became known. It refers to being able to solve an intricate problem. Although we have many problems in our lives that we have to unravel, the biggest problem facing us is how to reunite our soul with God. This is the Gordian knot, or dilemma, that faces each person. Until we unravel that knot, we are tied to the wheel of transmigration that keeps our soul returning life after life to this physical realm.
Due to the law of karma, we have to bear the fruits of our actions, good and bad. When we commit good deeds, speak good words, or think good thoughts, we are rewarded. On the other hand, when we commit bad thoughts, words, and deeds, we are punished. The sum total of all our deeds in any one life are recorded and calculated. At the end of our life, our next life is determined by what we did in our previous ones. No matter what kind of form we are born into, we are subject to the pains and joys of life.
The saints and mystics tell us that there is a way out of the karmic cycle. They explain that we can rise above the lower realms of karma and return to realms that are free from suffering, where all joy, peace, and bliss reign. To reach this state we need to untie the Gordian knot that binds us to this world. That is the intricate problem we all face, the predicament to which we are all tied.
Since on our own we are incapable of breaking this tight bond of karma that keeps us tethered to this world, we need help. The sword that can free us from karmic ties is the sword of Naam, or the Light and Sound of God. There is an inner divine Light shining and an inner divine Music playing within us all the time. We are blind and deaf to it because no one has shown us the way to see and listen to it. A spiritual Master who has been in tune with the inner Light and Music can tune us into the right frequency so that we, too, can see and hear this divine Current of Light and Sound. We can witness inner vistas of beauty and hear the songs of God playing sweetly within us. This divine Current has the power to sever the bonds that keep us enslaved to this physical realm.
Those who have had near-death experiences (NDEs) have described that when they entered regions of light, they underwent a life review. They saw all the good and bad they had done. Not only did they witness it, but they actually experienced what the other people felt when they did good or harm to others. This experience was so profound that they realized that the most important principle was that of love. In fact, they came back from their near-death experience transformed. They felt compelled to lead their lives in a more loving, caring manner since they had experienced the reaction of the harm they had caused people as well as the joy they brought to others.
One does not need to undergo a physical trauma or a near-death experience to reach the higher realms. In meditation, the spiritual guide takes us on our inner spiritual journey; we do not need to suffer from a physical accident like those who had NDEs experienced. Meditation is a blissful process, and we can return to our awareness of the body whenever we want.
By learning the art of meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God under the guidance of a living spiritual Master, we can attain freedom from the karmic knot that keeps us entangled in this world. This is the true Gordian Knot we all must face. Once we have solved the great mystery of life and death, we are then free to enter into a state of eternal bliss, divine love and ecstasy.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an internationally recognized spiritual Master who teaches the oneness at the heart of all religions, emphasizing meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God as building blocks for achieving spiritual illumination. Social, civic, and religious leaders throughout the world have praised Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj for his deep wisdom and efforts in promoting inner and outer peace. Visit our website at www.sos.org
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