"I am not the born; how can there be either birth or death for me?"

The quote credited to Guru Nanak, "I am not the born; how can there be either birth or death for me?" is a profound reflection on spiritual and philosophical ideas that transcend the physical existence of human life. At its core, this statement addresses the nature of the soul and the spiritual reality that lies beyond the physical type.

To begin with, Guru Nanak is emphasizing the idea of the eternal soul, which is a fundamental tenet in lots of spiritual and religious customs, consisting of Sikhism. When he states, "I am not the born", he is recommending that the real essence of a being is not confined to the physical body that comes into the world at birth. Instead, it represents that the soul, or atman, is an eternal entity that is neither created nor destroyed by the procedures of physical life and death.

The latter part of the quote, "how can there be either birth or death for me?" extends this principle by questioning the very nature of death. Guru Nanak is urging his fans to acknowledge that if one's true identity is the soul, which stays unchanged and untouched by physical phenomena, then the experiences of birth and death are simply transitory states that do not impact the soul's presence. This shows a more comprehensive view of life and death as part of a magnificent cosmic order, in which the soul undergoes experiences within the cycle of samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth) however is eventually looking for to realize its oneness with the divine, or moksha, liberation from this cycle.

Additionally, this teaching encourages individuals to detach from the ego and the short-term elements of earthly life, promoting a sense of inner peace and freedom. By transcending the worry of death and the limitations of the physical world, one gains a much deeper understanding of their real nature and relationship with the divine.

In summary, this quote by Guru Nanak invites reflection on the immortality of the soul, the illusory nature of birth and death, and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge that sees beyond temporal presence.