Japji Sahib

As the story is told, Nanak was making his ablutions in the river one day when his body sank to the bottom. He remained submerged for 3 days. When he finally re-emerged from the river, he was transformed. It was from this very moment that he began his teaching.

The words of Japji are the first words that he spoke. They describe all the pitfalls of spiritual work, as well as the incredible blessings one can receive through steady perseverance of meditative life. The paths to God are limitless, and all paths lead to the same place. Nanak said that God cannot be found by speaking or remaining silent, neither by bathing at the places of pilgrimage nor by giving in charity.

Nanak also described incredible states of consciousness, which he himself had experienced. The realms of the Earth, heavens, and beyond. He described the vision, which every spiritual seeker yearns for . . . a vision of God revealed. The whole Universe unveiled before the eyes of the seeker. "That vision is beyond description" says Nanak. It is impossible to describe. Each soul has to find it on his or her own.