Why be afraid when there is no other fear.
And all other fears are but noises in the mind.
Guru Nanak (GGS, p. 151)

Rare is the human being who during the course of his life has not had to travel through life's darkness. Darkness where all seems to be lost. Where there seems to be no hope or way out. And perhaps men who have never gone through such a period through their entire lives have not received the final finish. They remain soft and insecure. Just as an athlete cannot reach his potential without putting his body through grueling workouts, a man cannot reach his true stature without battling the demons that life's tragedies bring forth.

It is through the dark times that a man's faith is tested. Will he be able to retain his balance or will he falter? In this vulnerable state man becomes anxious to grasp at meaningless rituals. He is willing to believe in cults that ask him to hand over his life to them They will run his life and during this dark time it seems like the best choice to some. Charlatans and quacks emerge from every corner to strip him of his dignity and to enrich themselves through his tragic state. But it is also in this dark state that a man can test his beliefs and theories. He can test his spiritual and physical muscles.

My strength has dissipated, shackles enclose me, there seems no escape.
Says Nanak; Your are my shelter; empower me as you have your saints.
My strength has returned: my shackles are shattered; all doors are open.
Says Nanak: all is in Your hands; I lean on You.
Guru Teg Bahadur (GGS p. 1429)

Triggers of Darkness
Triggers of Darkness Darkness can be triggered into a person's life through a number of events.
  A highly developed inner warrior may force one to take a stand against incredible odds. This may result in great personal harm. The body may be maimed, loved ones may be lost. Sikh history is replete with such stands against seemingly impossible odds. Guru Gobind Singh promised the Khalsa: "I will make the sparrow fight the hawk!"
  Situations beyond one's control may cause grave illnesses and rob one of vitality. "Why me?" is the natural response.
   Mighty men of this world may decide to make life a living hell. Giant faceless corporations may make arbitrary rules and cause layoffs or unbearable work conditions.
   Drugs or alcohol may take one into life's abyss. It may seem impossible to break the addiction.
   People who were loved and trusted may decide for apparently no reason to betray one. It may send one into despair.

Attitude is Everything
The spiritual and mental attitude with which one faces life's dark periods is the key to how one emerges on the other side. The self-pitying "why me?" attitude opens the key to the door which leads down the path where charlatans and quacks can rob one¹s dignity. The "why not me?" attitude allows one to emerge strengthened. The tragedy has been viewed as a challenge and the individual and society is better off once the clouds pass.

When pleasure and pain look alike, How can sorrow touch one.
The saint resides in eternal bliss. For he/she understands the Creator's work.
Guru Arjun Dev (GGS p. 186)

Since tragedies and life's uncertainties are bound to strike sooner or later, how does the Sikh prepare for them? Here is what the Guru advises us.
   As you lose your self-centered style and develop a more universal style, personal ups and downs seem less thrilling and frightening. The ability to take joy in another's joy and feel another's sorrow provides the balance needed to face life's individual darkness.
   The faith that nature's laws are constant...in the physical and spiritual world...is essential in preventing missteps in darkness. Charlatans will love to fix the stars or put in a personal good word to God for you...for a small price. Sometimes the price is money, sometimes it may involve handing over the control of your mind to them. It is critical for the Sikh not to fall into the trap of tricksters and cult leaders in times of darkness.
   Look at life as the great play run by Waheguru in which joyful parts and tragic parts are all to be played as a challenge. One does not puff up when good fortune smiles and get deflated at the slightest prick.
   Turn difficult challenges into resources for humanity. Throughout history men and women have overcome great challenges and used them to leave gifts for humanity. New medical treatments have been endured by people with grave illnesses to provide cures to others. Brave men have suffered the torture of being skinned alive to ensure that future generations can practice their religions in dignity.

There are some who worship stones held on their heads;
some who carry stone idols around their necks.
Some describe God as residing in the south; some prostate to the west.
Gripped in false ceremonies is this world; true wonders of the Creator lost.
Guru Gobind Singh (DG p. 14)

Enterprise and Unbounded Optimism
A belief system that incorporates universal brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity, one that rejects degrading rituals, caste systems and racial superiority, and one that strives to achieve bliss through action, is not only good for the spirit...it also generates thriving communities. The Sikh is spread across all corners of the world. He has not gone to these corners as a conqueror or to convert the native...he has gone with a sense of adventure and enterprise and with a belief that this great world is for all to share.

Everywhere the Sikh has gone, he has thrived. There have been occasional acts of discrimination, but the Sikh does not dwell on them. His motto is always the same: Thriving, not surviving! Thanks to Yogi Harbhajan Singh, many Westerners have been exposed to the beauty of the Sikh style. The Westerners who have accepted this faith bring to it their unique energy and spirit. Often, Sikhs who have been born into Sikhism are impressed by the beauty and grace of these "new" Sikhs. The Sikh has not thrived because he is intrinsically more brilliant than others. Nor because he has unusual physical attributes. The reason is perhaps this: he is unfettered by superstitions and his actions are unencumbered by "I-know-God-better"-priests and astrologers. He has no problems breaking bread with the so-called low-castes or the heathens or kafirs. He does not wait for auspicious alignments of stars to make life decisions. And most importantly, the Sikh does not accept poverty and suffering as a necessity for a high spiritual life. On the contrary, he associates physical deprivation with silliness.

The Sikh style of enterprise has often come into conflict with the political climate of the times. The most recent example of this has resulted in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in 1984. The now-repudiated Soviet inspired fiscal policies of the Indian government created financial deprivation which was particularly unacceptable for Sikhs. This, and not any inherent Hindu-Sikh conflict, caused the disastrous event which led to the 1984 tragedy. The adage kirit karo, vand chakho, Nam japo...put forth the enterprise, share the labor's fruit and keep your life in accordance with Nam...guides the Sikh and ensures physically, mentally and spiritually healthy individuals and societies.

Epilogue
A short story from the life of Guru Nanak captures his view of the Creator. During one of his travels, Guru Nanak came upon some learned priests offering gifts to the glory of the Creator. Each priest had offered his own precious gift. Guru Nanak, however, stood by calmly. He was asked, "Do you not have something to offer to your Creator? A coconut, some milk, perhaps some precious stone? What kind of worship do you believe in?"

In his response Guru Nanak uttered one of the most beautiful compositions, part of which is displayed below. As humanity grapples with our serious environmental problems where the beautiful earth is threatened through greed or ignorance, it is affirming to meditate on this hymn composed five hundred years ago.

With sky the salver, the sun and the moon the lamps, galaxies of stars studded as jewels;
With chandan scented winds from the Malai mountains fanning,
myriad flowers illuminating the spectacle;
Thus is your worship performed, O Destroyer of fear, this is your worship.
The melody rings and music of the Word is made as if on a tender flute. (Pause).
Thousands are Thine eyes, yet hast thou eyes?
Thousands thy form, yet hast Thou a form?
Thousands are Thy lotus-feet, yet hast Thou feet?
Thousands Thine noses, yet hast Thou a nose?
Thou art the Spirit that flows through all.
Your light illumines all.
Through the True Guru's wisdom Your light appears...
What pleases Thee becomes Thy worship.
(Like the honey bee) all day I crave the honey of Thine lotus-feet.
Bestow upon Nanak the nectar of Thy grace, so he can merge in Thy Name.
Guru Nanak (GGS p. 663)