Recently, a one line story became popular on Quora. It was:
When a man went to God after dying, God asked, “So, how was heaven?”
What if the heaven we aspire for after death was supposed to be enjoyed on this earth?
In these Gurbani lines, Kabir ji says that everybody wants to go to heaven. But does anyone know where it is? Heaven is in the company of the Holy, Sadh Sangat.
ਸਰਬ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਮੋਖ ਪਾਏ ॥
ਏਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਏ ॥
Everything is obtained: the heavens, liberation and deliverance,
If one sings the Lord’s Glories, even for an instant.
The heaven lies in Kirtan and Sangat. But it is experienced by only a few. For 95% of the people, these are just rituals to be performed mechanically. For many, these are not ends in themselves but are means to material comforts and success.
Just as education for most people is a means to an end – career or money, but for some, education or learning is joy and fun. They would continue to learn and study even if they are not paid a penny for it. They have experienced the innate value of intellectual growth.
It is actually quite unfortunate that we are missing on this heaven, this fountain of joy and peace. And even more unfortunate is that we don’t even realize it.