The human body has five senses; touch, smell, taste, hearing and vision. Of these five senses, vision is
probably the most important. It is our sight that enables us to perceive the material world around us.
The material world consists of a myriad of physical objects that reflect light. The ability of human
beings to capture and interpret this light depends on one critical organ- the eye. If the light that bounces
off the many objects around us hits the skin, the tongue, or enters the ears, it means nothing. However,
when light enters the human eye, the lens of the eye focuses the light on one single point in the retina.
This stimulates retinal cells called photoreceptors that then transmit impulses to the brain. The light is
is then recognized and perceived as something material.
This entire process depends on focus. If the lens focuses the light behind the retina, the image is not
clear. If the lens focuses the light in front of the retina, the image again is blurred. Complete clarity
relies on perfect focus. And perfect focus depends on the lens in the eye.
Without a well functioning lens, clear vision is impossible. Babies born without lenses, a condition
called aphakia, are often blind if not treated early. Conditions that cloud the lens, like cataracts, also
lead to the loss of sight.
We can extend this analogy to Nirankar. Nirankar permeates and constitutes the entire universe around
us. However, unless Nirankar is made “visible”, there is no way for the human mind to perceive this
power. No human sense has this ability. The lens that focuses the light of Nirankar is the lens of Gyan,
or God knowledge. God knowledge converges the rays of this power into a focal point that the human
mind can understand. This is how we “see” God. Hence, without God knowledge, Nirankar is
imperceptible. Without God knowledge, a human being is spiritually blind.
In the physics of light, we learn that all lenses have a certain power that is measured in diopters.
Depending on the power of the lens, light rays are brought into focus a certain distance away from the
lens, and this distance is termed the focal point. The higher the power of the lens, the closer the focal
point is to the lens. The lower the power of the lens, the further the focal point is from the lens.
Similarly, there are mechanisms to increase diopter power of the lens of God knowledge. If we
inculcate Sewa (selfless service), Simran (prayer) and Satsang (congregation) into our lives, we
increase the power of God knowledge.And when we increase the power of the lens of God knowledge,
the focal point shortens. This brings Nirankar into focus even closer to us. Nirankar infiltrates into our
lives with every breath, thought and action, and the soul settles peacefully in its bliss.
This is why we are told to make Nirankar our focal point. However, critics will argue that out of the 5
pledges we take as Nirankaris, our fourth pledge directs us not to abandon society to seek God, but to
live in this material world and fulfil all our duties as a human being. These include duties to our
families, to our work, to our education, or to society. If we are to focus on our duties, then how can we
focus on Nirankar?
The argument has validity when we compare it to the physics of light. When I try to capture a picture
with my camera, if the object the lens focuses on is clear, then the background will appear blurry. On
the contrary, if I adjust the lens so that the background appears clear, then the object becomes blurry.
The same flaw applies to the human eye. It is technically impossible to keep the object and the
background in perfect focus at the same time.
So how do we reconcile this fallacy and comply with our fourth pledge while maintaining Nirankar as
our focal point? This is where our faith in God Knowledge comes into play, where the physics of
Nirankar defies the physics. of light. The miracle of God knowledge is that if we always keep Nirankar
in perfect focus, then everything else in our lives- relationships, duties, wealth, goals, work- will also
remain in perfect focus. When we keep Nirankar in sight at every moment, our life is fulfilled in
perfection in every realm. Both the object and the background can become simultaneously clear.