II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

जौन मिला सो गुरू मिला, चेला मिला न कोय I
चेला को चेला मिलै, तब कछू होय तो होय II

There’s always something to learn, for learning is a lifelong endeavor — whatever roles we might assume (student, working professional, parent, boss, entrepreneur) there are always new things for us to learn and excel at. Learning stops for the one who calls himself master while for the one who is eager to learn, there is always so much more to learn and time is short.

 

"Kabir says, learned are many, but the one who enjoys the constant learning is hard to find. The true exchange of knowledge takes place only when one learner meets another."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कंचन तजना सहज है, सहज तिरिया का नेह I
मान बडाई ईरषा, दुरलभ तजनी येह II

"Kabir says, giving up of vanity, praise and jealousy is more difficult than the temptation of gold or staying away from the lure of lust."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कबीर माया रुखडी, दो फल की दातार I
खावत खरचत मुक्ति भय, संचत नरक दुआर II

"Kabir says, Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results. A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of his Karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode. Problems or successes, they all are the results of our own actions, Karma. The philosophy of action is that no one else is the giver of peace or happiness. One’s own Karma, one’s own actions are responsible to come to bring either happiness or success or whatever.
Karma is intertwined in the fabric of our life, and training ourselves to be aware of this can transform how we live. We become more mindful and thoughtful, making choices with care, understanding that our past actions, present experiences, and future circumstances originate in our minds. Karma is justice. It does not reward or punish. It shows no favoritism because we all have to earn all that we receive. Karma doesn’t predestine anything. We create our own causes and Karma adjusts the effects with perfect balance.
Kabir says, be wealthy but be wise, for it is entirely in our hands what we do with our material riches. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

मन दाता मन लालची, मन राजा रंक I
जो यह मन गुरू सो मिलै, तो गुरू मिले निसंक II

"This composition of Kabir is the mind's mirror that reveals to a mind it's true face - it's faults, flaws, defects, demerits, false ego sense, deceptions, doubt, hipocrisy, falsehood and above all lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. But this mirror will not reflect the true face until we gain insights into the disorder created by the thinking of our conditioned mind.
For example, depending on the situation, when the lusty mind dies, it may be reborn the very next moment as a greedy mind, or an angry mind, or an attached mind, or an haughty or arrogant mind, or a jealous mind, or a stubborn mind, or a corrupt mind, or an ignorant mind, or a wise mind, or a merciful mind, or a contented mind, or an enemy, or a friend, or a slanderer, and so on. This nonstop cycle of birth and death of the mind continues all day along, everyday ultimately culminating in the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
In this composition Kabir asks us to bring this wandering mind home and that comes true once the wandering mind liberates itself from the outer domination and traced it’s steps back to its True Nature within.
Kabir says, the mind wanders because it has abandoned, deserted or deprived itself of Satguru's Wisdom, for a person who is devoid of His Wisdom or uninterested in it wanders in delusion."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सुमिरन सुरत लगाय कर, मुख से कछू न बोल I
बाहर का पट बन्द कर, अन्दर का पट खोल II

The Spiritually Wise assure us since time immemorial that we are immortal souls on a journey of spiritual evolution. We will take on many bodies, many lives, many different identities through the repetitive cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Each advent into a new birth is like an astronaut’s voyage into the great unknown. The soul’s underlying joy throughout this adventure is to commune with and realise God, learning of its true nature in the great classroom of experience, known as the world, or maya
Man is blinded by his ignorance and his concern with the externalities of the world. He is caught, enthralled, and is bound by Karma. The ultimate realisations available are beyond his understanding and remain to him obscure, even intellectually. Man’s ultimate quest, the final evolutionary frontier, is within man himself. It is attainable through devotion, purification and control of the mind.

"Kabir says, the true worship is a journey within. It means contemplation and meditation of God, remaining affectionately detached, like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, being in the world but not of it."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

तब लग तारा जगमगे, जब लग उगे या सूर I
तब लग जीव जग कर्मवश, जब लग ज्ञान न पूर II

"Kabir says, just like stars are visible only in the night sky, not after the sun rises, the endless cycle of birth and rebirth is inevitable till one realises that the true purpose of this rare human birth is God Realisation.
Darkness symbolizes ignorance. In this darkness of ignorance we mistakenly identify ourselves with the body that creates non apprehension of the reality, for it is this false ego sense that sinks us in the ocean of suffering. Light  symbolizes Spiritual Wisdom, the greatest and lasting Inner Wealth, for only it can dispel the darkness of ignorance.
This light of the Spiritual Wisdom is there within each one of us. It is only because our awareness is busy in gratifying our senses in the external world so much that we don’t wish to look within to realise it's existence within.

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सुमिरन तू घट में करै, घट में ही करतार I
घट भीतर ही पाईये, सुरति शब्द भण्डार II

"Kabir says, God is not a subject of finding. When something is everywhere (omnipresent), you realise it where you are, there is no need to run around hither and thither in search of it. In other words, God is not a subject of ‘finding’ but ‘Realising’ – knowing ownself.
To put it otherwise, many people waste their entire life in finding God that was never lost in the first place. Its on account of our delusion or ignorance, we just do not understand the simple Truth that God dwells within like the reflection in the mirror or like the fragrance in the flower.
Although the musk is stored within a deer’s navel, however, due to guiled by his own delusion, it wanders about in the forest to find it. Similarly, due to ignorance, we keep searching God outside in the gross objects, though He is right here, within. 
God is standing at the door of every heart. Call Him. He is waiting to come in. What prevents Him from entering is the ignorance that crowds the heart. Only when the ignorance vacates the heart, God can enter.
When one meditates on 'Hari Nam', the darkness of ignorance is dispelled and GOD Realisation comes true."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

करनी बिन कथनी कथै, अज्ञानी दिन रात I
कूकर सम भूकत फिरै, सुनी सुनाई बात II

"Kabir says, a person who is more of a talker than doer is often empty of substance. A talk of things heard another person or other people say without verifying the truth is no different than dog barking."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

हम जाने थे खायेंगे, बहुत जिमीं बहुमाल I
ज्यौं का त्यौं ही रह गया, पकडि ले गया काल II

"There are people who are singularly devoted to the accumulation of wealth. What happens to all that wealth when they die? It gets left behind to others who didn’t earn it. A wealthy man lying on the sick bed nearing his end recalls his whole life and realises that all the recognition and wealth that he took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death. You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – "Life".
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down and then all the riches we were so proud of fall in the hands of those who have not earned it and therefore they do not see the same worth in them as we see.
Kabir says, when we die we leave everything on earth. We don't take anything with us."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

चहुं दिस पाका कोट था, मन्दिर नगर मझार I
खिरकी खिरकी पाहरु, गज बंधा दरबार II

"Kabir says, there is nowhere to hide when death comes callin' your name no matter where you may take refuge. It may be a fortress surrounded by high walls and you may be protected by a powerhouse. When your time is over, death sneaks in and leaves behind the body empty of soul."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

हरिया जानै रुखडा, उस पानी का नेह I
सूखा काठ न जानि है, कितहूं बुडा मेह II

"Kabir says, the water that makes a tree grow and blossom has no effect on a dry log of wood no matter the log remains immersed in water. Similarly the teachings of the Spiritual Master fall on deaf ears for the ignorant while for those who are ready to absorb it become enlightened."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

जल परमानै माछली, कुल परमानै शुद्धि I
जाको जैसा गुरू मिला, ताको तैसी बुद्धि II

"Kabir says, just like the quantity of water in the lake decides whether it's going to have small fish or big fish, the good or bad qualities in a person are the reflection of the righteous or immoral inclinations of the elders in his family. Similarly the attitude and aspirations of a disciple are the direct reflection of his Guru's teachings."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सुख दुख सिर ऊपर सहै, कबहुं न छाडै संग I
रंग न लागै और का, व्यापै सतगुरू रंग II

"Existence is suffering. No matter how hard we try, we cannot escape suffering. Suffering is part of the fabric of life, an unchosen and unwelcome part, for sure, but something every human being eventually confronts.
Kabir says, never let the sufferings weigh down upon you and disturb you. Also one must not get carried away by the moments of happiness, for everything in this world is but fleeting. Don't let the desires make you dance to their tune. Instead we must surrender to Guru, for the feelings of joy, peace and purity are effortlessly invoked in the aura of a living master. Surrendering to a Guru in no way compels us to renounce the world we live in. In fact, it brings forth remarkable changes within us by adding the virtues of oneness, awareness and wisdom. In the presence of a Guru, our life becomes like a river stream that goes through various twists and turns without offering any resistance, before it finally merges into the Ocean of Self."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

आरत है गुरु भक्ति करुं, सब कारज सिध होय I
करम जाल भौजाल में, भक्त फंसै नहिं कोय II

"Kabir says, desires are significant triggers for the mind’s activity. They originate in the mind, and the footprint of the mind enlarges through desire. We are not entirely forthcoming with our desires, either to ourselves or to the world. There are many hidden desires we would like to pursue. There are others we try to suppress. Both the pursuit of desires and their suppression result in an expansion of the mind. Continuing with and realizing our aspirations may not always lead to contentment. Once we taste something we enjoy, we seek more of it. When desires are suppressed, they don’t just disappear. They linger in the conscious mind. Consciously or unconsciously we cover them up by amplifying other desires. Even though we may think we are pursuing more suitable and beneficial desires, the process of desiring does not change even though the object may be different.
When desires become the instrument for experiencing pleasure, they keep us trapped in the material world. But the same energy of desire can be pointed away from the material realm to a more subtle plane that the senses cannot reach when one surrenders his ego at the feet of a Guru. It is the Guru that awakens us from our slumber of ignorance. It is the Guru who, by his Wisdom banishes the darkness of ignorance and wrong notions that the individual being has about life, and brings in the light of right reasoning, right perception and right thought. The very essence of the Guru is to remove the ignorance that is the cause of bondage, sorrow and suffering. And the essence of the disciple is a keen eagerness, a great desire to be free from ignorance–the essential nature of which is ego–and attain illumination."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

काल काल तत्काल है, बुरा न करिये कोय I
अनबोवे लुनता नहीं, बोवे लुनता होय II

Man knows not when his time will come, for just like fish tragically caught in a net or like birds trapped in a snare, human beings are caught in a time of tragedy that suddenly falls to them.
 Everybody knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently. To know you’re going to die and be prepared for it at any time. That’s better. That way you can be actually be more involved in your life while you’re living. Every day we must ask ourselves, ‘Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?...for once you learn how to die, you learn how to live. 

"Kabir says, no one knows when they are going to die. And therefore refrain from doing Bad Karma, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Karma simply means "action" or "cause and effect." When something happens to us that is apparently unfortunate or unjust, it is not God punishing us. It is the result of our own past actions. If we sow goodness, we will reap goodness; if we sow evil, we will reap evil. Thus we create our own destiny through thought and action. We must keep on doing Good Karma, for we don't know when we are going to breath last."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

खाय पकाय लुटाय के, करि ले अपना काम I
चलती बिरिया रे नरा, संग न चलै छदाम II

"Kabir says, do people who pursue wealth and material possessions understand that they are going to die, and take nothing with them? You come into this world with nothing and you go empty-handed. The true wealth of life lies in how you allow its experiences to enrich you."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

धर्म किये धन ना घटै, नदी न घटै नीर I
अपनी आंखो देखि ले, यों कथि कहाहिं कबीर II

"Kabir says, just like waters of river do not diminish if some water is drawn from it, the charity does not reduce wealth. The money donated to a worthy cause comes back to the donor in some or other form."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

पाहन पानी पूजि के, पचि मुआ संसार I

भेद अहददा रहि गयो, भेदवंत सो पार II

Kabir says, idol worship refers to the practice of worshipping God in image form. Everyone worships God in image form, even those who think they worship the formless God, because the mind objectifies everything, even the idea of formlessness. Life is poured into every image or idol when it is reverentially worshipped with devotion. Despite this no one has truly realised God. For that to happen One must surrender to the Saintly Being, for His Wisdom enlightens the Godliness hidden in everything in the universe."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

बहुत जतन करि कीजिए, सब फल जाय न साय I
कबीर संचै सुम धन, अन्त चोर लै जाय II

"Kabir says, no matter how much wealth we may accumulate, in the end it is of no use, for we come in this world empty handed and depart no different. The wealth hoarded by miser becomes useless to him when thieves steal it."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सांई आगे सांच है, सांई सांच सुहाय I
चाहे बोले केस रख, चाहे घौंट मुण्डाय II

“Truth” is something that has intrigued human beings since time immemorial. That may be because of the human tendency to try and hide it when they want to keep it secret. But in the long run truth can’t be hidden for ever, that it will eventually be revealed. Some people feel that truth can be hidden with a little cover-up and decoration. But as time goes by, what is true is revealed and what is fake fades away. The truth always comes out in the end, no matter how hard anyone tries to hide it. Lies are just a temporary delay to the inevitable. As the famous saying goes, three things cannot be long hidden, the sun, the moon and the truth.

"Kabir says, most adored by God is he who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, and who speaks truth in his heart."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

जाके जिभ्या बन्धन नहीं, हृदय में नाहीं सांच I
वाके संग न लागिये, खाले वटिया कांच II

"We all know the pain of regretting words we have spoken: words of pride, dishonesty, envy, gossip, or anger. Although we may try to restore bruised relationships through repentance and forgiveness, spoken words can never be retrieved. Talking too much can often lead us to say more than we should, exaggerating truths, lying, amongst others. It can also antagonize those listening to us. And therefore we must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Many times, we say the right things at the wrong time and the wrong things at the right time. There is a time for everything including when to speak and what to speak, for the lips of the wise disperse knowledge just like sifting it as chaff from the grain. To diffuse conflict or avoid undue confrontation, speak gently. Speak words that are seasoned with grace so as not to stir up anger, for a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Gossiping is almost like an addiction, it feels good at the moment but afterward, it leaves you empty and drained. Speak words that edify, that encourage, that are filled with love and truth. Never let ugly or hateful words come out from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others. Flattery is so pervasive in today’s world. We are often encouraged to tell people what they want to hear, even when it is not true. But honesty is the best policy, for a lying tongue hates those it crushes and a flattering mouth works ruin. Say what you mean! Seek the truth, and speak the truth!
The things we spend time on affect how we talk. This includes books we read, movies, the thoughts we entertain, and of course the company we keep. All of these affect us. And therefore Kabir urges us never to keep company of those who let their tongue run wild and who resort to falsehood.

Silence is golden.You don't always have to speak, for a truly wise person uses few words. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सेवें सालिगराम को, माया सेती होत I
पहिरै काली कामरी, नाम धरावै सेत II

"In this composition Kabir asks what is the use of wearing the religious symbols if the mind is still in the firm grip of lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. There is no sacred ‘thread’ for the sense-organs that can free one from sense-slavery. Worship of God is not a matter of outward conformity to religious rituals. All these external body robes, symbols, and other paraphernalia are nothing but a pompous show of false ego-sense, an attempt to fool the divine but in vain. Heart cannot become pure no matter how many times one utters 'Hari' Hari' while constantly practicing deception. If one wants to embellish the gross body with the religious symbols, Kabir urges us to have our minds wear Virtues, for it’s the mind that commits demerits or makes mistakes, not the body-frame. Shaligram is a divine and holy stone, the manifestation of the Supreme Preserve, that is Lord Vishnu in the awakened state. One must offer prayers and worship it daily with the cleanliness of mind and soul to get peace, prosperity and positivity in the dwelling and in the life of the dweller, else it remains only a ritual. A person who remains absorbed in the name of God needs no colourful attire. The true worship is performed within by the mind, by constantly having the mind attending to the name of God incessantly."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

जा घट प्रेम न संचरै, सो घट जानु मसान I
जौसे खाल लुहार की, सांस लेत बिन प्रान II

Blacksmith use bellows to blow extra air onto his fire so that more oxygen is available to burn.That makes the fire burn hotter than it would normally. Those hotter temperatures make it possible to make metal soft enough to shape with a hammer. A bellows is just a flexible bag made out of two rigid boards that are connected with flexible leather sides. Inside is an airtight cavity that can be expanded and contracted by moving the handles of the boards in and out. A bellows has a one-way valve that allows air to enter the cavity. It also has an outlet nozzle or tube at the front which allows pressurized air to be forcefully directed out in a stream when the bellow is squeezed.
Kabir says, love-less heart is like bellows of blacksmith that pumps in air but doesn't truly breath. A human being devoid of love is no less than a cadaver about to be disposed of in a funeral home."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सद्गुरू शब्द उलंघि के, जो सेवक कहुं जाय I
जहां जाय तहं काल है, कहैं कबीर समझाय II

"Kabir says, the very essence of the Guru is to remove the ignorance that is the cause of bondage, sorrow and suffering. And the essence of the disciple is a keen eagerness, a great desire to be free from ignorance–the essential nature of which is ego–and attain illumination. Unless there is this willingness, this deep eagerness to attain illumination, the disciple is no disciple. A hundred Gurus cannot help unless the disciple has a great desire for liberation and is seeking to get rid of that which stands in the way."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सेवक सेवा में रहै, सेवक कहिये सोय I
कहैं कबीर सेवा बिना, सेवक कभी न होय II

The idea of selfless service (Seva) is an important concept in several religions because God is perceived as having an interest in the well-being of others as well as oneself and hence serving other people is considered an essential devotional practise of indirectly serving God. Seva is the concept of service to God and humanity, without the expectation of return.
It is seen as the highest form of Dharma (righteousness). Seva has been said to provide Good Karma which facilitates the Soul to obtain Liberation from the unending cycle of death and rebirth. In modern times, Seva has been taken to volunteering for the greater good.

"Kabir says, we should be sincere and full of love towards the Seva we are performing. It should not feel stressful or like an obligation. The sense of responsibility and affection we have towards our own family & friends, that same feeling should be there for everyone we serve.
Having an internal prejudice or bias prevents us from evolving in Seva, be it against our fellow seekers or the people we are serving. Thus, keeping an impartial mind is essential. The way we speak and behave with others should reflect the goodness within.
Impulsively taking up a task that is too far beyond our potential, leads to discontentment and frustration. The Seva we opt for should match with our capabilities, so that we can perform it earnestly.
 Every Seva brings with itself certain notional powers and status. If we are not mindful, this can easily pollute our mind. One might develop arrogance or pride, which would defeat the purpose of Seva, that is, becoming selfless. Thus, cultivating a sense of humility is important for every seeker. And it should grow as we become more involved. Humility brings refinement in our personality and our way of communicating with others, while arrogance makes us rigid and stubborn, thus breeding vices like rudeness and anger.
Oftentimes while performing Seva, the task we get is meant to be completed as a team. This means working with people having varying opinions, mindset, age and cultural backgrounds. Thus, we should learn to expand our bandwidth so as to mentally accommodate such diversity. Letting go of trivial matters and small difference of opinions, resolving minor conflicts sensibly, having empathy while communicating, these attributes help build the endurance for a meaningful Seva.
Inculcating these essential characteristics can serve as stepping stones to Spiritual Elevation so that we can truly set us upon the path of selfless-returning."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कबीर या संसार में, घना मानुष मतिहीन I
राम नाम जाना नहिं, आये टापा दीन II

If we live ignorantly, we must suffer, for Ignorance is the greatest evil in the world. Kabir says, repeated sufferings of birth and rebirth are unavoidable for those who do not realise that the true purpose of this rare human birth is God Realisation. In other words practice of Ram Nam is the only way to break free from the aimless wandering that is going on since time immemorial."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

मन चलता तन भी चलै, ताते मन को घेर I
तन मन दोऊं बसि करै, होय राई सुमेर II

The king of the jungle lives with pride in his natural habitat. He has an army, lives in prides and hunts in groups with planned strategy.
Being the strongest, the alpha male will reign unchallenged with power. 
Now, picture the exact same alpha male lion, but caged in a zoo, controlled and manipulated by human beings. The result will be a depressed beast deprived of his powerful nature.
Each one of us was born with amazing natural abilities, but like the lion above, if deprived of those abilities, that potential will be wasted.
A weak mind will kill our potential.
Just like a lion needs freedom to be “the king of the jungle,” you and I need freedom from the "caged mind" of ours conditioned to mundane existence, for only then we can become everything that our Creator designed us to be, NOT what other people made us think we are.
There is a popular understanding that a sanyasi is one who wears ochre robes; and that a yogi is one who has given up worldly commitments and retires into solitude to engage in meditation. These acts cannot be called renunciation if one has not given up desires or inward striving for reward. The  Renunciation is not about living like a hermit , for it must be associated with the conscious effort to get rid of the deep seated vasanas and all kinds of attachment to worldly attractions, objects and beings being cut off relentlessly.

"Emphasizing the significance of "Mind over matter", Kabir says, actions are but the louder expressions of thoughts. Your body will eventually obey or give in to what your mind is telling it to do. Only your thoughts are stopping you from what you want in life. More often than not, people don’t get things done because they are crippled with self-doubt. It is like your mind is the pilot of your life, and your body is like a “machine” which obeys what is ordered of it.
Where the head goes, the body follows. Perception precedes action. When the mind craves the sense desires, the body merely follows the suit. When the mind is restless, the body is restless. To the contrary, if the mind is in control, the body stands conquered."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

लागी-लागी क्या करै, लागत रही लगार I
लागी तबही जानिए, निकसी जाय दुसार II

"Life hits hard every one without exception. Of all the blows life throws at us, the most powerful is that which unfolds Spiritual Awakening, that cleanses the mind of all its weaknesses from within. And that happens when one comes in contact with the Spiritually Wise, in whose company one gets spiritually uplifted and realises the significance of being born as a human being. In a way there is no better eye opener than meeting a Saintly Being. Kabir says, Realisation of the true purpose of this rare human birth in itself is the greatest of jolts, for without it, it is not possible to wake up from the slumber of ignorance that envelopes us since time immemorial."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

काल हमारे संग है, कस जीवन की आस I
दस दिन नाम संभार ले, जब लग पिंजर सांस II

Human life is extolled as a very "rare" opportunity given to progress spiritually. To that end Kabir shows us how to live properly so that we may unfold spiritually within. By focussing on the ultimate purpose of human life, God  Realization, we are urged to orient our lifestyle towards this goal even while engaged in worldly activities. If one does not understand this significance and take appropriate steps to realise this objective of life "here" and "now", then there is no escape from repeated pain and delusion. Our sojourn in the world is for a fixed time and hence it becomes imperative that this "rare" opportunity is not to be frittered away in experiencing mere sensory pursuits.

"Kabir says, we don't know when we are going to die and therefore let's make most of the time we have, for life is fragile and can end at any moment. Often when nothing seems to go wrong in life, it betrays. The present moment is where the life truly unfolds. To live in the moment is to live with Awareness. Living in the present moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कबीर या संसार की, झुठी माया मोह I
जिहि घर जिता बधावना, तिहि घर तेता दोह II

"Kabir says, under the influence of Maya, we mistakenly confound our real identity with the gross body, thus inviting a lot of sufferings. The more we aspire to control matter, we end up serving lust, greed and anger. Often we redouble our efforts, and compounding mistake upon mistske, fall deeper into the illusion of accepting that which is temporary as having lasting value, and looking for enduring happiness in this world, which it cannot provide. 
No wealthy household is devoid of worry or sorrow. Our life is a mix of opposites and contraries. Human life is a rich tapestry made of threads of happiness and sorrow woven together. The balance of the twain makes human life meaningful and worth living, for he who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II