by SS Dr. Gurusangat Kaur Khalsa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Winter 2009
Have you ever heard the story of the Kiri Tree, also known as the Princess Tree in old China? One day a magician turned this powerful tree into a wonderful harp and in so doing cast a spell so that the rebellious spirit of the harp could only be tamed by a master musician.
For years, the harp was kept by the Emperor as his personal treasure. Endless and useless efforts were made to find a musician who could play this harp. Whosoever attempted to strike a tune on its strings would always get frustrated. The harp always responded with horrendous sounds, refusing to recognize the master.
One day Peiwoh, the Prince of Harpists, finally came to play the harp. His hands had a kind touch and his fingers pulled the strings firmly yet softly.
In Peiwoh’s hands the harp evoked Mother Nature and her seasons; slowly, all the memories of the tree woke up and once again the glory of the spring played in its branches. Water streams danced through the flower fields right on the roots of the tree, tickling the old dragon asleep under its shade.
The summer was then awakened and soon myriads of insects could be seen as if rain had just poured down. Everything was alive! Then came autumn, with its windy days and chilly nights. The moon shone over the valley and there was peace. Finally, winter settled in and all colors dissolved into white. The air was full of silence and pleasure was everywhere.
Then the harp played the song of love, and the entire forest agitated and burned like lovers in a great passion. Thick clouds appeared high above the skies, leaving dark shadows on earth. Despair was palpable. There was a pain in the harp’s anguishing melody, evoking war. Listen to the sound of steel and horses!
In a storm of notes, the harp awakened the dragon, which flew lightning down the mountain. The entire world drama was played.
After listening, the Emperor was in bliss and asked Peiwoh the secret of his victory. Peiwoh said, “Sir, the other musicians played only themselves. I allowed the harp to choose and I don’t know if the harp was me or if I was the harp.”
This story illustrates so well our relationship with the Master. We are the harp and the Guru is the Prince of Harpists. Touched by the Master, our most inner and hidden strings are awakened, and we vibrate unique melodies, answering the call.
The Master awakens in us unknown tunes and pitches, and we are finally able to overcome the spell cast by our own minds, a spell which had covered us from time immemorial with great fear.
Once free, we allow the infinite Truth to be, under all circumstances. By playing freely, hope is resettled and the sound of the Master’s soul becomes one with our own. In such a state of mind, we are able to build trust and help others to explore their own excellence, their own uniqueness, their very own pitches and tunes.
About the Author
SS Dr. Gurusangat Kaur Khalsa is an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister. She is one of the founders of The Brazilian Association of Friends of Kundalini Yoga (ABAKY) in Belo Horizonte, sharing the technology and the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and Shabad Guru in Brazil. The ABAKY is affiliated with 3HO Foundation (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization). She is involved in the creation of the Miri Piri Academy in Brazil and is a member of the International Khalsa Council.