In the summer of 2010, I visited Tsomoriri lake in Ladakh (India), at a height of 15,000 feet. With snow covered high altitude roads, the region remains inaccessible for most of the year.

In harsh weather conditions, the Changpa tribesmen continue to live in harmony with the environment. Their homes are a small tent, barely insulated and their means of livelihood are sheep. But they seem to be happy.

The simplicity of their living, compelled me to think how far the modern life has taken us from the essence. In reality, “Naked we came to this world and naked we shall depart”. Our existence between the two banks of nakedness, is just a small aberration!

A hymn of Guru Arjan Dev, the 5th Guru of the Sikhs, reminds us of this nakedness and aberration.

Why center your consciousness on any other than One?

Standing, sitting, sleeping and waking, meditate on Him.

Power, property, youth, household, fame and beauty of youth;

Immense wealth, elephants, horses and jewels, purchased with money;

shall be of no avail and the proud must depart, leaving these behind.

Why center your consciousness on any other than One?

Standing, sitting, sleeping and waking, meditate on Him.

May possess beautiful arenas, and be victorious in battles.

May proclaim, “I can kill anyone, I can capture anyone, and I can release anyone.”

But when Order comes, he will leave the world in an instant.

Why center your consciousness on any other than One?

Standing, sitting, sleeping and waking, meditate on Him.

May be religious and righteous, but he remains unaware of the Creator.

May give sermons, but may not practice what is preached; he does not realize the essence.

Naked he came, and naked he shall depart; in life he is like an elephant, throwing dust on himself.

Why center your consciousness on any other than One?

Standing, sitting, sleeping and waking, meditate on Him.

Listen everyone: the drama witnessed in this world is false.

Claiming “Mine, mine””, the mortals drown; wasted the fools die.

Says Nanak, I meditate on Him and  am emancipated.

                                             Adi Granth, Guru Arjan Dev, Page 379

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