O my special friend, my Guru, my scripture, my guide,
our problems in this World
seem to be wired into bug-like constructs,
our ant-hill cities,
and all the economic stresses
between caste and class stratified peoples,
and computer systems,
and data management,
the military and politicians,
the media, the market, and fashion.

Watch the worker bees bustle about,
watch the scouts and soldiers,
observe the honey factory churning along.

From above,
humans look like bugs.
We are like ants
with our human-hills,
called cities,
and long lines of cars
reaching out of the pod
like tentacles.

We work round the clock to keep these bug-like human constructs intact.
We work for people who are exploiting our efforts for their own gain.
We serve the Masterminds and Queen Bees.
We stress over our careers;
so worried about whether we are being good little bugs.

It is true that humans are animals;
but we are mammals,
not insects.
We are cozy and loving creatures,
not droids for the system.
O Guru, we have hearts that long to be human,
and yet we find ourselves putting in 60-hour weeks to be ants instead.
What can we do?
Is it hopeless?

My special friend, my Guru, leans close and answers:

"While we think that we legislate, we find no peace.
While we think that we execute,
we migrate from womb to womb.
While we judge others as enemies or friends,
we do not find stability of mind.
While we are lost in the fantasy
of love and delight,
we are punished by the Final Judge.

Through Divine favor, our bonds are broken.
Says Nanak, by the grace of the Guru,
our ego is dispelled.

Earning thousands, we chase millions,
in pursuit of wealth we are never content.
Countless hollow delights beguile us,
but discontented, we die in pain.
Without contentment, we are never fulfilled,
like vapid dreams, our goals and efforts are in vain.

The Name, the Deliverer of radiant joy,
the most fortunate alone receive.
You Yourself are the Creator, You the Cause,
says Nanak,
ever recite the Name."

Kamalla Rose Kaur is a professional writer, theater director, workshop and seminar leader, publicist, events planner and singer.

USA born of Irish descent, Kamalla Rose Kaur embraced Sikhism in 1972 at age 18. She tried everything for over twenty years, including frantic practice of Yoga, until she learned "why Sikhs are so adament about having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their only Guru."

The author welcomes comments and feedback: Love&Light. Her previous articles are available in archives. (The list will shortly be updated.)