Human life is bound by the laws of space and time. Our bodies can exist only at one place in one moment. Yet, the mind – subtle, limitless, and mysterious – often defies these limitations. We all have experienced moments when someone we love suddenly comes into our thoughts, and soon after, we hear from them or meet them. Science may call it coincidence, but spiritual traditions see it as a deeper connection — the ability of the mind to transcend distance.
This reminds me of a profound story from the life of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, whose life was a living testimony to higher states of consciousness.
Guru Nanak and the Call of His Sister
During one of his Udasis (spiritual journeys on foot to distant lands), Guru Nanak Dev Ji was accompanied by his faithful companion, Bhai Mardana. Suddenly, Guru Ji told Mardana:
“My sister, Nanaki, is remembering me right now. She is baking chapatis in her home in Punjab, nearly 2,500 miles away. She longs for me to come and meet her.”
True to his words, Guru Nanak Ji eventually undertook the long journey back home on foot. When he finally met his sister, he gently said:
“Since you remembered me a month ago, I have come.”
Bebe Nanaki was astonished. She confirmed that indeed, while preparing her evening meal about a month earlier, her heart had been overwhelmed with thoughts of her brother. Her remembrance had reached him across thousands of miles.
This episode illustrates a profound truth: the mind and spirit are not bound by distance.
The Speed of Thought
Modern science tells us that nothing travels faster than the speed of light. But thought and consciousness seem to be exceptions. When you remember a loved one living across the globe, your mind reaches there instantly — no calculations of light-years or distances involved.
Philosophers and mystics across traditions have acknowledged this. In Indian philosophy, the mind (Manas) is described as subtler and swifter than air or light. The Upanishads say:
“Mano javam, maruta tulya vegam” —
The mind moves faster than the wind.
In fact, our imagination and memory allow us to transcend physical limitations. We can sit in one room yet mentally walk through childhood streets, visit distant galaxies, or stand in front of someone we deeply love.
The Phenomenon of Telepathy
What Guru Nanak demonstrated with his sister is today often described as telepathy — the ability to transmit or receive thoughts across distance without physical interaction.
• Historical examples:
• Saints like Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda recorded experiences of knowing the mental states of devotees far away.
• In Buddhism, advanced monks are said to develop abhijñās — higher knowledges, including thought-reading.
• In Sufism, the concept of tawajjuh refers to the spiritual concentration of a master reaching disciples across distances.
• Scientific studies:
While mainstream science remains cautious, several parapsychology experiments have explored the possibility of telepathy. Studies such as the Ganzfeld experiments (1970s–1990s) attempted to show that people could sometimes sense images or emotions sent by another person in a distant room. Results were debated, but they kept the question alive: Is the mind more than the brain?
The Power of Human Connection
Beyond mysticism and science, there is a human truth here: love, longing, and emotional bonds often create moments where we “feel” each other across distance. A mother wakes up sensing her child is unwell miles away. Siblings, close friends, or lovers suddenly call each other at the same moment. These experiences remind us that relationships weave invisible threads across space.
Can We Be at Many Places at Once?
Physically, no. But mentally and spiritually, yes. When your thought, intention, or prayer reaches another soul instantly, you are, in that moment, “present” there. You may be sitting in one place, but your consciousness expands to embrace multiple locations, people, or even worlds.
Guru Nanak’s story with his sister is not just about miracle — it is about the limitless capacity of human consciousness. While science may take time to fully understand it, spirituality has long affirmed it:
• The body lives in one place.
• The mind can live in many.
• The spirit can pervade all.
Conclusion
To “be present at many places at the same time” is not about defying physics, but about realizing the true nature of consciousness. Our mind is not confined to our skull; it is a field of awareness capable of reaching across time and space.
Whether through love, prayer, meditation, or remembrance, we extend ourselves beyond the body. That is why when someone remembers you with a pure heart, you often feel it. In those moments, distance disappears — and presence becomes universal.
Guchi.
Improve Your Life 