Much of Our Trouble Is Self-Made and Unmakeable

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

This one says much of our trouble is made by us, so we can also unmake it.

tootee tant na bajai rabaab — the string has broken, and the rabaab, a stringed instrument, makes no sound. bhool bigaari-o apnaa kaaj — by mistake, a person spoils their own work.

A lot of our trouble is not done to us by others. It comes from our own grabbing and pride. We snap the very strings that could have made music. Think of pulling a guitar string tighter and tighter to make it louder, until it snaps.

Kabir says this gently. It is just true. And there is good news inside it. If we make much of our own trouble, we can also unmake it, by letting the grabbing, noisy self go quiet.