A series of commonplace factors– small, medium, large; left, right, centre; waking, dreaming, deep sleep; night, dawn, noon– indicate that the number three plays a prominent role in our lives. There are also three divisions of time– past, present and future. All human capacities can be classified into three categories– thoughts, words and deeds. On the mental plane, we have the thinker, the act of thinking, and the object of thought. In terms of composition of the human being, we have the body, mind and soul.When the idea of 'three' is transferred into a geometrical shape, it forms the triangle. In general, the three angles of a triangle represent the three-fold aspect of life, with each angle being inseparable and connected to the other. The three focal points are integral to the proper functioning or completion of anything. The triangle is a universal emblem represented in many faiths. We have the Trinity of Christianity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost); the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh); and Kethu, Chochman, and Binah in Judaism. In various religions, the triangle is a symbol of oneness or unity. The divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for example, are the three unique facets of ONE divine entity– the underlying force behind the workings of this Universe. God also has three attributes: omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. He is the generator, operator and destroyer: three in one. Thus, the triangle is the stamp of unity and oneness. The triangle also stands for spiritual elevation. The apex of the triangle, pointing north, symbolises the origin and destination of every soul. If you draw the image of a triangle on a piece of paper and extend the two lines from the apex downward, you in essence create duality from singularity. The duality of nature, the world of black and white, of relativity, stems from the oneness of the Supreme (the apex or point of origin). But the goal of all life is to rise above duality and once again enter the true abode of the Absolute. The holy scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji says: “O mind, you are the image of that Divine Light; know your origin.” The aim is to resurrect oneself to the apex of the triangle, further representing the power of three. Hence, 'three' is the number of resurrection, for it was on the third day that Jesus rose from the dead. It was the third day on which Jesus was “perfected” (Luke 13:32), consummating his role as the Son of God. A human being's spiritual resurrection, or elevation, is representative of the ideal 180 degree turn, or transformation, that he or she eventually accomplishes when deluged in the divine, supra-mental light during the practice of the meditation technique imparted by a Perfect Spiritual Master. Through contemplation, a person begins to transform by sharpening his or her power of discrimination, rising above selfishness, pride and falsity. A person develops the ability to shake off envy, greed, attachment, etc. because he or she views life with a broader vision– beyond the narrow boundaries of pettiness, egotism and over-extensive passions of this world. Having visions of divine light transmitted by the Perfect Master is the first life-altering experience, as it eventually leads one to other transformations. One should note that victories in moral behaviour without seeing the divine light of God are good, but small in comparison to the undivided bliss that one experiences when in communion with the light, with the Guru. Remember, bliss creates a saint out of a sinner, as one realises his own purity and strength. Not just that! The reformed ones then inspire others as well to fashion their lives in righteousness.
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