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Sikh Meditations

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    www.naamaukhad.blogspot.com

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    This short book is about Sikh Meditation-

    W aheguru Sim ran and how Sim ran transform s

    the Sikh to know God and to live with God. The

    Simran enables the Sikh to live with correct

    att itude in prosperity, in good health and to livea life of joy, understanding, sharing and seva

    facing lifes issues w ith a peaceful m ind.

    First edition Nov. 2012

    (This is part I of the Book)

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    gur sitgur ka j] isKu AKae[ su Blk[ xuiO hir namu iWAav{ .

    xuwmu kr[ Blk[ prBatI iesnanu kr[ A;imRt sir nav{ . xupw[is

    gurU hir hir jpu jap{ siB iklivK pap w]K lih jav{ . iPir

    cz{ iwvsu gurbaNI gav{ bhiwAa xuOiwAa hir namu iWAav{ . j]

    sais igrais iWAae[ m[ra hir hir s] gurisKu gurU min Bav{ .sggs 305

    To call oneself a Sikh of the Guru, rise in the early morninghours and meditate on the Naam. Through this effort ofrising early morning with cleansing bath, and then doing

    meditation is to bath in a pool of nectar. Following theInstructions of the Guru,

    the Sikh does har har jap .( Har m eans to rem ove or to destroy an d m editation is to

    rem ove the veil of haum e (ego) w ith jap of guru m antra)With this jaap all sins, misdeeds and negativity shall beerased. Then, at the rising of the sun, the Sikh is to singGurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to

    meditate on Naam. One who meditates on Har, Har, withevery breath and every morsel of food - that Gursikh becomespleasing to the Guru's Mind.

    sggs 305

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    C o n t e n t s

    1.T h e M o o l (o r i g in ) 42 .J a p a n d S im r a n 93 .R e la t in g w it h S h a b a d Gu r u 134 .W a h eg u r u S im r a n 185 .Fiv e K h a n d s o f J a p ji S a h i b 346 .S h a b a d N a a m 407.N a a m R a n g 478 .A n h a d S h a b a d 51

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    TheMoolMantrais:

    Ekoankaar OneUniversalCreatorGod

    Satnaam TheNameIsTruth

    Karatapurakh CreativeBeingPersonified

    Nirabho

    NoFear

    Niravair NoHatred

    Akalmoorath ImageoftheUndying

    Ajooni BeyondBirth

    Saibhang SelfExistent

    Gurprasad

    By

    Guru's

    Grace.

    EKONKAR:ThisonewordisatthebeginningofSGGSji.Themostsimplistic

    translationofEkonkarisGodisOne.

    TheverymomentSikhfocusesonEkonkarthemeaningbeginstoevolve

    withmoreandmoreinsights.ThemoretheSikhreadsGurbani,thereis

    betterappreciationofthevastnessofmeaningthatthissingleword

    encompassesand

    reveals.

    The

    word

    Ekonkar

    represents

    the

    creation

    and

    the

    creator.EkonkarbeginstheSikhsspiritualjourney.TheSikhknowsoneness,

    experiencesonenessandisonewithoneness.

    TheSikhshedsthecommonnotionofGOD,astheexperienceofvastness

    unfoldsandbeginstoseeoneness.

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    ThemeditationonEkonkarisajourney.Thisjourneyisajourneyof

    exploration.ThelettinggooflifetimesofnotionsonGODandreality.Inthis

    journeyweareforcetofacewiththedilemmaonnatureofreality.The

    pendulumeverswingsastowhatisrealandwhichisanillusion.Themind

    repeatedlykeepsitspulltowardsthecomfortacceptingwhateveryone

    believes.ThemindisthefirststumblingblockthattheSikhhastoovercome

    withthe

    tools

    that

    the

    Guru

    has

    provided.

    The

    Guru

    through

    His

    grace

    bestowstheSikhwiththegiftofsimran.

    ThebaseofSikhspiritualmeditationissimran.Simranmeanstoremember

    andrepeat.SimranisthebasicmeditationmethodwhichtheSikhmakesas

    partoflife.SimranletsthesikhbeeverawareoftheGuru.Throughsimran

    theSikhkeepsalivethechangeandtransformativeprocesswithever

    awarenessofHISpresence.

    Whenthe

    Sikh

    repeats

    Gurbani,

    it

    is

    simran.

    The

    listening

    to

    Gurbani

    Kirtan

    isSimran.TheJapofGuruMantraWaheguruissimran.

    IntheMoolMantra,theGuruhasinstructedtheSikhandrevealedwhatthe

    focusofthesimranhastobe.ThewordMantrabeginswithEkonkarandhas

    sevenwordswhichcannotbeexactlytranslated,onlythemeaningofthese

    wordscanbeindicated:EKONKARthusmeans:ThereisoneGod.The

    universeisHismanifestationandthereisoneness.

    SATNAAM:

    this

    word

    is

    composed

    to

    two

    words

    Sat

    and

    Naam

    which

    meansHISnameandreferstotheDivinerealitywithinandbout.The

    absolutetruthisthatHEistheonlyreality.Thistruthistobeever

    reinforcedthroughsimransothatthedevelopingbeliefbecomesthetruth.

    KARTAPURAKH:KartaPurakhmeansthecreatorthecreativeforce.The

    creatorisnotdistinctfromthecreation.HISHukamprevailsinthecreation.

    ThesimranistoobserveandaccepttheHUKAMwiththecreation.

    NIRBHAU:Nirbhaumeansabsenceoffear.Thismeansthatintheunderlying

    realitythefearisanillusionandforcethatisMaya.Thefearisbecauseofduality.TherealityisAnand.ThetruthisonlyLOVE.

    NIRVAIR:Nirvairmeansabsenceofenmity.Againenmityisbecauseof

    duality.Simranistoseetheillusionsothatonenessisobserved.Howcan

    whenallareone,therebeenmity?

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    AKALMOORAT:Thecycleoflifeanddeathisapartofcreation.Thecreator

    isbeyondthiscycleandAkalonewhomdeathcannottouch.Wejust

    cannotgobeyondtheconfirmsofthisworldofrelationship.Intheworldwe

    knowhappinessthroughsadness,thereishighbecausethereislow.The

    oppositerelationshipsareallaroundandanintricatepartofourlives.We

    knowlifeasthereisdeath.Howarewetoknowonewhocreatedtheseand

    theworld

    we

    live

    in?

    Some

    connection

    has

    to

    be

    there

    with

    our

    world.

    Guruji

    thusexplicitlystateHIMtobeAkalMoorat.AformoranexistencewhichIS

    andEVERIS,TIMELESS.ThereisnoDeath,justexistence.

    AJOOIN:AjonimeansONEwhoisunincarnated(nothavingany

    reincarnation/incarnation).Thisagainisuseofadefiningwaybystating

    thisisnot.ThereisonlyONEandONENESS.Nothingelse.Noothersecond

    orsimilar.Theworldthathasbirth,deathandrebirthisamanifestationa

    creation.

    SAIBHANG:Saibhangexplainsthenextobviousquestion.Whocreatedthe

    creator?Howthecreatorcameintoexistence.Anotherquestionthatarises

    outofoureverydayexperiences.GurujispecifiesexplicitlyHEisselfcreated.

    HEISandcreatesHIMHEMSELF.

    GURPRASHAD:Nowthelastobviousquestion.HowcanweknowHIM.

    WherecanwefindHIM.Theanswerisintheword,Gurprashad Gurus

    Grace.OnecanknowHIMthroughGurusgraceonly.OnlytheGurus

    Prashadcan

    make

    us

    find

    and

    know

    HIM.

    Our

    shackles

    of

    illusion

    and

    separatenessisthusshattered.

    ThewordPrashadisusedforafoodofferedtoGuru.IntheGurdwara

    aftertheendofworshipserviceKarahPrashadisservedtosangat.This

    KarahPrasadisakindofsacredpuddingwhichissweetandadelicacy.This

    isconsideredandtakenasGuruskindness,favororgrace.Spirituallythe

    directionandguidanceisoftheGuru.ThisisGurusgraceandsoalsothe

    result.

    Thefirstrealdefiningdirectionforthespiritualaspirant,aSikhisknowing,

    findingandfollowingtheTrueGuru.

    ThewordSikhmeansadisciple.WhoistheGuruofaSikh?WehavetheTen

    GurusstartingwiththeFirstGurubeingGuruNanakDevjiandthepresent

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    everlivingeleventhGurubeingGuruGranthSahebjiwhomthetenthGuru

    gaveGurugaddi.

    ThefirstthingthatthelearnsthattheGuruisnotthePhysicalBodybuta

    GuruJyotethatistransferredfromoneGurusPhysicalbodytothenext

    andnowiswithinSreeGuruGranthshahebjiwhoarealsoknownasThe

    ShabadGuru.

    HasShabadbeenthroughouttheGuru?GuruNanakDevjiinSidhGhostbani

    hasstatedthathisGuruistheShabad.RightfromthefirstGurustimethe

    SikhswereintroducedtoGurbani.TheoriginalGurbaniistheShabadGuru

    now.

    TheSikhsfirstmeditationisseekingofTHESHABADGURUwithin.

    Knowing

    THE

    SHABAD

    GURU.

    TOLIVEINCOMMUNIONWITHTHESHABADGURU.

    ikAa j;glu DUDI jaie m{ Gir bnu hrIAavla .

    sic iok{ Gir Aaie sbiw xutavla .1.

    jh w[Ka th s]ie Avru n jaNIA{ .

    gur kI kar kmaie mhlu pCaNIA{ .1. SGGS420

    Whytogosearchingintheforests,

    whenmyhome(environment)islikegreenwoods.

    Ihavebeeneagerforthetruthtosettle(inmymind)throughtheShabad||

    1|

    WhereverIlook,thereHEis;Iknownoother.

    By

    living

    on

    Gurus

    guidance

    in

    thought

    and

    action,

    one

    recognizes

    and

    knowstheMansionofGOD.||1||

    SGGS420

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    2 . J a p a n d S im r a n

    Sikhmeditationsblendspiritualitywiththepersonsdailylife.Thetwo

    aspectsofthemeditationareJapandSimran.

    Jap

    means

    to

    repeat,

    to

    affirm

    and

    to

    act.

    InaSikhMeditationwerepeattheGurbanisentences,Gurbaniwordsand

    theGuruMantra.AnotherwaytheJapformsapartofSikhslifeiswhenthe

    SikhPrayersarerecitedDaily,GurbaniKirtanislistenedtoregularly.

    GurbaniwhicharewordsofShabadGuruhasguidancetoshapeourbasic

    beliefsalignedwithspirituallife.Inthislifeweliveinrazaapositive

    contentment,wearelovingtowardsothers,weshare,weforgive,wehave

    positiveupliftedoutlook.AlifebeinglivedinChardikala.Thepositivesofthis

    lifecan

    be

    appreciated

    by

    looking

    at

    what

    wont

    be

    there

    in

    this

    life:

    anxiety,

    anger,greed,exploitationandaboveallasenseoffear.Wetoohave

    happinessandsorrow;tearsandjoy;hopeanddespair.Theanxietyandfear

    areourregularcompanions.Achangeiswhatweeverdesire.

    TheGurbanigivesuswisdomanddirectionthatchangesustobecomea

    JyoteswaropealightthatisanimageofGOD.Ourperceptionare

    changed,ourselfconceptsarechanged.

    Thejap

    is

    atool,

    aprocess

    that

    is

    an

    important

    aspect

    in

    this

    change

    process.

    Anoviceoftenquestionsthisaspect.Whyrepeat?Whyagainandagain?

    WhyrememberGODagainandagain?WhypraiseGODagainandagainlike

    asycophant?

    Infactwearerepeatinggoodtobegood.Werepeatanimagetobethat

    image.weareshiftingourstateofbeingtowhatwetrulyareaJyote

    swaroop

    from

    a

    temporary

    self

    identity

    that

    we

    adorn

    and

    live

    with

    in

    this

    world.

    Ourpresentwayofthinkingandlivinghasalsocomeaboutthrough

    experiences.Muchhasbeenreinforcedbyrepetition.Infactthemajorityof

    ourthoughts/actionsarenotthroughalogicalconsciousthinkingbutguided

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    byadefaultwayofthinkingandchoosingtriggeredbythoughtsconnected

    withexperienceswhicharethedomainofoursubconscious.

    Oursubconsciousmindhasbeenbuiltupbyexperiences.Theinput

    influencesweremanyrangingfromthoseofparents,teachersandpeers.

    Butonefactorthatgreatlyinfluencedwasourenvironmentthatincluded

    TV,press

    and

    neighborhood.

    The

    thinking

    and

    emotions

    of

    all

    around

    us

    has

    shapedoursubconsciousmindwhichisfurtherpartofacollective

    consciousness.

    Wehavewithinusanxietiesandfears.Theangeriseasytotriggerand

    greedeverlieshidden.Thecircumstancesofourlivedonthavemuchto

    cheer.

    WenowonlyhavetoaccepttheGuruswordsandmoveaheadforthe

    change.

    TheotherimportantmainaspectoftheSikhmeditationtounderstandwell

    isSimran.

    TheSimranbroadlymeanstoremember.

    InSimranwerememberourtruenature.ThroughSimranwebringabouta

    perceptionoftruth.ObjectofSimranistochangeusintowhatwetrulyare.

    Aswe

    decide

    to

    do

    Simran

    many

    questions

    come

    in

    mind.

    How

    to

    do

    Simran?WhentodoSimran?Howisitdifferentfrommeditations?Doesit

    involvecontrollingthemindandsoon?

    Simrancanbebetterunderstoodifsomeaspectsarecomparedwithwhatis

    commonlyknownaboutmeditation.

    Meditationinvolvesclosingofeyessoastoshuttheoutwardfocusofsenses

    andmovewithin.Inmeditationeitheramantrawordisrepeatedtofocus

    themind

    and

    move

    towards

    stillness

    or

    thoughts

    are

    observed

    so

    as

    to

    go

    throughthegapsbetweenthoughts.

    HowevertheSimrancanbedoneeitherwitheyesclosedorwithopeneyes.

    SimranalsohasaGurumantraforfocusingofthemind.ThisGurumantrais

    achangeortransformationagent.Itenablesustohaveastateofmindwith

    awarenesshavinganinwardpointoforigin.

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    father,mother,worker,boss,neighbor,citizenandsomanyotherroles.We

    haveresponsibilitiesandduties.Wehavedesiresandneeds.Alltheseand

    muchmoremakesforalifeweareliving.Shouldnotthesebeaddressed

    alongwithourspiritualquest?ThelifethatGuruguidesustolivelooks

    towardsourprosperityaswell.Ourhealthimprovesvisiblyandthereis

    greaterstrengthtowithstanddiseasesthannormallyevenduringinitial

    stagesof

    simran

    when

    the

    sikh

    begins

    to

    absorb

    Guru's

    directed

    way

    of

    livingthelife.

    TheSikhlooksaroundandfeelsthejoy.WhenthereissimranoftheGuru

    mantraWaheguru,Waheguru,Waheguru...witheveryutterancethesikh

    delightsatthewondrouscreation.ItisWahGuru,whetheritistheworld

    aroundortheownbody,thereiswonderofcreationineverything.

    AccompanyingthisSimranisthesecretguruguideddirectionoffeelingHIS

    presenceaswell.FEEL,FEELandFEEL.DoSimranwithafeeling.

    WhenGurbaniisrecitedFEEL.

    WhenShabadislistenedFEEL.

    AccepttheGuru'swordasabsolutetruth.

    Asweenterandwalkthepath,therelationshipwithGuruisourfirstmost

    importantstep.ThisrelationshipisfirstaddressedbytheSikhmeditative

    path

    of

    Simran

    which

    essentially

    has

    Jap

    as

    its

    component.

    We

    can

    know

    whatSimrantrulyisbydoingSimran.

    ItisthroughSimranthatwehavetoknowtheShabadGuruandforma

    relationshipsothatweareabletomovetonextstepwheretherealityisnot

    visiblenorisitapartofourexperiencebuthastobeacceptedastruthso

    thatwevibrateatalevelwherewecanperceiveitandmakeitapartof

    experience.

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    3 .R e la t in g w it h S h a b a d Gu r u

    SikhmeditationsareallaboutrelatingtotheShabadinvariousforms. The

    SikhmeditatestoknowtheShabad,tolivewithShabadandtobeonewith

    ShabadTheShabadiscommonnamefor knownashymns(bani)inShreeGuru

    GranthSahibjiandalso thesoundofcreationthecelestialsound

    vibratinginallthecreation.

    ShreeGuruGranthSahibjiisGuruandthebanicompiledthereinarethe

    wordsofShabadGuru.

    AllaboveisjustonlyreligiousknowledgetillthemindACCEPTSandKNOWS.

    TheSikhmeditationsareallaboutmakingthemindknowandexperience

    thetruth.Infacttheactualspiritualpursuitsaresimplyreshapingthemind.

    Lettingthe

    truth

    come

    out

    and

    be

    part

    of

    experience.

    HowthiscanandisdoneisbyrelatingtotheShabadinallitsform

    progressively.

    TheShabadshowstheway,Shabadguides,andShabadisthecreativeforce

    ofchange. ShabadisalwayswiththeSikhasShabadGuru.Itisthroughthe

    Shabad,thatSikhknowstheCreator.TheCreatoriswiththeSikhthrough

    Shabad.

    ThebeginningofthejourneyistorelatewithGurbani.

    Thefollowingaresomepungtees(lines)fromShreeGuruGranthSahibji

    whichexplicitly

    state

    how

    the

    Sikh

    changes

    through

    relating

    with

    Gurbani

    :

    GurbaniistheLightthatilluminates(thepath)inthepresentworld;

    bykarma(effort) itcomestoabidewithinthemind.||1||

    SGGS67

    ThroughGurbani,theIncomprehensibleGODiscomprehended.||1||

    SGGS366

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    ThroughtheGurusBani,(therealityof)SHABADthatgivesselfrealizationis

    known.||7||

    SGGS752

    WhoeverutterstheWordoftheGurusBanitheGODisenshrinedinthe

    mind.

    SGGS1238

    ThereareseveraldirectionsisSGGSjithatenabletheSikhtorelateand

    connectwithGurbani. Thesekeysunlockthehiddenmeaningandopen

    doors. Hereisanimportantkey

    OGurSikhs,

    know

    that

    the

    Bani,

    the

    Word

    of

    the

    True

    Guru,

    is

    true,

    absolutelytrue.TheCreatorLordHimselfcausestheGurutochantit.

    SGGS308

    GurujicategoricallystatethattheGurbaniistobeacceptedastruthwhat

    Gurbanistatesistrueandthatshouldbeknownassuch.

    ThisstatementreflectstheattitudethattheSikhhastohaveandshould

    develop. TheSikhacceptsthestatementofGurbaniastrue. Thismeans

    thatthenegationanddoubtswoulddeprivetheSikhfromexperiencing

    truth.The

    how

    and

    what

    way

    direction

    of

    thought

    towards

    the

    statementsisfineandpartofvicharthatGurbaniencouragesbutnegation

    intheformofcannotbeandIdontbelievethiskeeptheSikhstuckinthe

    levelofspiritualgrowth.

    WordsofGurbaniaresimplestatementwithoutanyfillerwords. These

    statementshavesimpledeepmeanings. Themeaningunfoldstomakethe

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    Sikhgrowspiritually. Theunderstandinggivesdirectiontotheeffort

    (udham)thattheSikhdoes.

    HereisanotherimportantkeyforanearlystateinSikhslife.

    Peoplebelievethatthisisjustasong,butitisameditationonGod.

    SGGS335

    HeunderstandstheBanioftheWord,andheisabsorbedintotheTrueLord.

    SGGS412

    TrueisYourCourt.TheShabadsymbolizes(thecourt). Contemplate(and

    understand)thistruth andrevealedthroughtheWordoftheShabad.

    MeditatingdeeplyontheTrueWordoftheShabad,Ihavemergedintothe

    Truth.

    SGGS144

    Healoneperformsdevotionalworship,whomtheLordsoblesses;

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    hecontemplatestheWordoftheGuru'sShabad.

    SGGS429

    Herethekeyisthevicharorcontemplation.Aslongastheattitudeisto

    takeitassong(Geet)thentheSikhisrelatingtoGurbaniatsonglevelonly.

    ButassoonastheattitudeshiftstowardsBrahamVicharthentheshift

    occursand GurbanirevealstotheSikhthemeanings.Suddenlythereareso

    manyAha

    moments

    with

    awareness

    of

    understandings

    that

    cannot

    be

    easilyvoiced.

    GurbaniisnotonlyBrahamVicharbutisanaspectof Wahegurujias

    ShabadGuruandasShabad.

    ToappreciatethisaspectletuslookatthisstatementofGurujee:

    Waaho!Waaho!istheBani,theWord,oftheFormlessLord.

    ThereisnootherasgreatasHeis.

    SGGS515

    For theGurmukh,BaniisGodHimself.

    ThroughtheShabad(Gurbani),weareonewithHim.

    SGGS39

    Howawritten

    word

    is

    aShabad

    Guru

    and

    waheguruji

    Himself

    is

    akey

    that

    theSikhtolearn,appreciateanduse.Thepointsbelowmaygivesome

    leads.

    ThoughtsintheMindandWordsareinterconnected.Anywordread

    evokesaconnection,meaningandevenfeelingsinthepersonreadingit.

    Thesethoughtsareenergiesandcanbesaidtobeconnectedwith

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    consciousness.Thelanguageissimplyasymbol. Whilelanguagecanhave

    existenceoutsideahumanbeingintheshapeofwrittenword,butthese

    symbolsaremeaninglesswithouttheconnectionwiththehumanmind.

    Whenseveralpeoplereadwrittenwords,eachpersonhasadifferent

    understandingbasedonthepriorknowledgeandexperiences.Eachpeople

    thushavedifferentstatesofmind.Withmoreexperiencesthestateofmind

    changes.

    Whatismind?Whatisconsciousness?Theanswertothisquestionisvery

    difficult.LetusnotgetinvolvedbutratherlookathowtheGuruswords

    reveal.TheGurbani tellsusthreepointshavetobeunderstoodtogether

    andinterrelationseen..

    Thefirstandforemoststatementisthatthereisonenessallcreationis

    intelligentconsciousness.Ekongkaristheforemostandleastunderstood

    reality.ThesecondisthatitistheShabadthathascreatedtheworld(Utpat

    parlao shabdayhovaicreationanddestructionisbytheShabad SGGS

    page117.).TheAnhadShabad(TheCelistialSound)isconsciousnessvibration,thecreativeforceshapingtheworld.ThethirdisthatGuruisever

    withusalwaysandwithin.TheGuruisaccessedthroughSimranandcontact

    isalsosomaintained(GurMereSangSadaHaiNaley sggs394).The

    ShabadGuruwithinisaccessedandcontactedbecauseoftheShabadin

    writtenformwhichhasbeenvoicedthroughtheSaintsandGurujibythe

    ShabadGuru.

    WeshouldunderstandthatinthespiritualworldwehavetoBelievefirst

    andKnowlaterincontrasttothematerialworldwhereweseefirstand

    thenbelieve.Thebelievefirstapproachwhenadoptedwithoutmuch

    qualmswouldenabletheSikhtothenexperiencethespiritualrealities.Know

    andbelievethatBaniisShabadGuru.TheShabadGuruiseverwithuswithin

    asGuruguide.AswekeeponlivinglifeofHukamRazai(inawarenessand

    acceptanceofworkingofHukam)ourhaume(selfidentity)beginsto

    diminishtakingustowardsoneness.

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    4 . W a h eg u r u S im r a n

    ThewordWahegurupronouncedvaaheguruismadeupoftwowords

    wah(e)and guru. Thewordwahorwah(e)isanecstaticexpression

    ofandwonder.ThewordguruisacombinationoftwowordsGumeaning

    darknessand

    Ru

    meaning

    light.

    The

    Guru

    thus

    means

    one

    who

    removes

    darknessbybringinginlight.

    ThewordWaheguruisthenameofthesupremecreatorandagurumantra

    forSimran. TheJapofgurumantrainducesachangewithintheSikh.About

    thiswordBhaiGurdasjiwhopenneddownSriGuruGranthSahibjiasbeing

    recitedbyGuruArjunDevjihaswritteninhisVar13asbelow:

    WaheguruisGurumantra,whoserecitationerasesegotism.

    VaaranBhaiGurdasji:Vaar13Pauri2

    AVicharonthepurposeofGurumantrahastobedonebytheSikhsoasto

    knowtheessenceofitsmeaningwhichisgraduallyunderstood. This

    enablestheSikhtohaveproperstateofmindanddirectionduring

    Waheguru

    Simran.

    Injapji sahib Guruji has atfirst instance itself declared that the way to

    become Sachiar (pure person who is ONE with God) is live the life of

    HukamRajai

    Sohowcanyoubecomepureandtheveilofillusionbetornaway?

    SaysNanak,bywalking(inlife)theWayofacceptanceofHukam(HIS

    command)thatgetswritten(asdestiny)

    SGGS1

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    TheworldthatweliveinhascomeaboutbecauseofHukam,andsodowe.

    Whatever happens is because of Hukam but the illusion is such that

    everythingisseenasseparatelyexisting.Wealsolivethelifewithaseparate

    selfidentity which is known as haume. This illusion of separateness in

    spiritualcircles

    is

    known

    as

    duality.

    AboutHukamGurujiexplainsasbelow:

    ByHISCommand,bodiesarecreated;HisCommandcannotbedescribed.

    ByHISCommand,soulscomeintobeing;byHISCommand,gloryand

    greatnessare

    obtained.

    By

    HIS

    Command,

    some

    are

    high

    and

    some

    are

    low;

    byHISCommand(Writtenaskarma),painandpleasureareobtained.

    Some,byHISCommand,areblessedandforgiven;others,byHISCommand,

    wanderaimlesslyforever. EveryoneissubjecttoHISCommand;nooneis

    beyondHISCommand.SaysNanak,onewhocomestoknowHISCommand,

    doesnotspeakwithaHaume(selfidentity).||2||

    SGGS1

    We thushave toSEE theworkingofunderlyingHukam(HIScommand) in

    theworldwe live in ineverything.Wehave to livea lifeofacceptanceof

    whatever ishappening (detachment) rather than in resistance whenwe

    eitherlikeordonotlikewhatishappeningaround.

    LifeofHukamRajai isto live lifewith innerAnand.Theupanddownsdo

    notaffect.

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    ThisisthestagewhereweareinOnenesswiththecreator.

    However,inthelifeweliveintheillusionofmayarules.Thispreventsusto

    knowtherealityofourorigintheMOOL.Asgurujiexplainsbelow:

    RAAMKALEE,FIFTHMEHL,CHHANT:

    ONEUNIVERSAL

    CREATOR

    GOD.

    BY

    THE

    GRACE

    OF

    THE

    TRUE

    GURU:

    BELOVEDFRIEND,myBELOVEDFRIEND standingsoneartomeismy

    BELOVEDFRIEND!

    NowisKnown,theunseenLordhascometobeknown;(I)nowknowthe

    Lord!

    Theonewhoisnotseen,iswithineachandeveryheartsleeping(meaning

    notawakeinourconsciousness)isthesweetestambrosialnectar.

    HEiswithall,andcannotbeseparated;thefooldoesnotknowHIStaste(of

    nectar).

    Intoxicatedwith

    the

    wine

    of

    Maya,

    the

    mortal

    is

    involved

    with

    trivial

    affairs;

    givingintotheillusion,hecannotmeettheLord.

    SaysNanak,withouttheGuru,onecannotunderstandthat

    Lord,theFRIENDisstandingsonearwithineveryone.||1||

    SGGS924

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    The illusion is strong, very strong.All ourfocus is outward towards the

    world.Thisworldexists,nodoubtbuttheunderlyingreality isoftransitory

    natureandthewonderthat iscreationand itsworkingevereludesus.The

    realitythusremainshiddenfromoursensesandthemind.

    Thenatureofthemindissuchthatthoughtseverfillit.Thesethoughtsare

    interconnectedand

    ever

    running.

    These

    keep

    us

    involved

    and

    connected

    withtheworlddayofdailyexistence.

    Ourmindisoutwardfocusedandsoisnotabletoperceivethereality.

    Thisfocusalsokeepsussteepedinsomanyfalseillusionsaboutthecreator

    andthecreation.Fortherealitytobeknownourawarenesshastobe

    focusedinwardaswell.OnewhoisnotSEENcanbeknownbygoingwithin.

    TheJapofgurumantraisthewaytomovewithin.Letusseehow.Gurujihassaidinjapjisahib:

    Listeningandacceptingwithmindinastateofloveandhumility,

    Isthe(real)pilgrimagedeepwithinthatispurifying.

    SGGS1(Japji)

    AndinJapjisahebji Gurujihaswritteninlengthontheimportanceof

    Suniyelisteningandmaniyeaccepting.Thesepauriesaretobe

    readagainandagain.

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    Listening (towhichonebecomes)theSiddhas,thespiritualteachers,the

    heroicwarriors,theyogicmasters.Listening (towhichthatmade)the

    earth,itssupportandtheSky.

    Listening(towhichthatmade)theoceans,thelandsoftheworldandthe

    netherregionsoftheunderworld.

    Listening Deathcannoteventouchyou.

    SaysNanak,(listening) thedevoteesareforeverinbliss.

    Listening(to

    which)

    pain

    and

    sin

    are

    erased.

    ||8||

    Listening(towhichthatmade)Shiva,BrahmaandIndra.

    Listening(towhich)evenfoulmouthedpeoplepraiseHim.

    Listening(towhichislikehavingthe)thetechnologyofYogaandknowing

    thesecretsofthebody.

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    Listening(towhichislikeknowingthe)theShastras,theSimriteesandthe

    Vedas.

    SaysNanak,(listening)thedevoteesareforeverinbliss.

    Listeningpainandsinareerased.||9|

    Listening(towhichonereceives)truth,contentmentandspiritualwisdom.

    Listening(towhichislikehaving)cleansingbathatthesixtyeightplacesof

    pilgrimage.

    Listening(towhichand)readingandreciting,honorisobtained.

    Listening(tothatfromwhich)oneachievespeacefulmeditativestate.

    SaysNanak,(listening)thedevoteesareforeverinbliss.

    Listeningpainandsinareerased.||10||

    Listening (towhichonehasaccessto)theoceanofvirtue.

    Listening (towhichoneequals)theSheikh,religiousscholarsandemperor.

    Listening(towhich)eventheblindfindthePath.

    Listening(towhich)theUnreachablecomeswithingrasp.

    SaysNanak,(listening)thedevoteesareforeverinbliss.Listeningpainandsinareerased.||11||

    SGGSJapji

    WhatisthatwhichGurujihasaskedustolistento?

    WearetolistentothewordWaheguruwhichisGurumantrawitha

    connectiontoourmool(origin)andshabadwithin.

    WearetolistentoGurbaniwhichisShabadRoop.

    Wearetolistentopanchshabadwithinthatmadethefiveelementsthat

    makesupthematerialworld.

    WearetolistentoAnhadShabadwithinthatcomesfromtheNirankarand

    createdthe Brahamroopworld.

    SotheJapofWaheguruthegurumantra isthewaytobreaktheillusionof

    maya and connect with the MOOL the origin . Amritvela ( the early

    morninghourbefore6.00clock) isadvisedforstarting thismeditation.Do

    JapofGurumantra.Repeatitandlistenwithintoyourownvoice.Thiswaya

    certainpullisexperienceandtheawarenessbeginstoremainwithin.Letthe

    thoughts runas such. If thoughtsdivertjustcomebackanddo theJapof

    Wahegurugurumantrabylisteningtothewordagainandagain.

    As the Sikh does this meditation daily the awareness there would be

    experiencedease inkeepingtheawarenesswithin.Thebodysmusclesand

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    cells toowouldadjust.Graduallya likingwould start.Now is the time to

    movefurtherinmeditation.Atthisstageroleof

    maniyeacceptancecomesinandbecomesimportant.

    There are two obstacles which anyone on spiritualpath has toface and

    overcome or theywould the bane stoppingprogress. Thefirst obstacle is

    DOUBTand

    the

    other

    one

    is

    RESISTANCE.

    GurusaysGODisnearwithin,thepersondoubts.

    GurusaysGODiseverywhereincreation,thepersondoubts.

    GurusaysJapofGurumantraisthewaytoreachtheMool,andtheperson

    doubts.

    ThepersonevendoubtstheGuru,andquestionstheoutlinedpath.

    Ourmind isusedtomaterialworldand itsways.Theritualisticwaysofthe

    religion look attractive and are easy to do. We are unaware of how theillusion is beingfortified through these attractive spiritual ways. Doing a

    pilgrimage and bathing on a special day is the spirituality that easily

    attracts.AskingaPathi todoAkandpathorpayingfor it isaneasyway.

    Doingpathdailywithoutanyattempt to reallyunderstandandfollow the

    Gurusstatedwordsgivesonlyan illusionofbeingspiritual.The list is long.

    Thetrapsofmayaaremany.

    Simply readingGurbanior listening to kirtanwouldnotwork till vichar is

    doneandattemptmadesothatthemindfollowsgurusshownpath.

    The Resistance is the secondobstacle.We resist change.We resistnew

    ideas.We resistandquestionwhyany thing ishappening tous.We resist

    thewaysoftheworldandhappeningnot likedbyus.Thisresistancemode

    alsocomesinwayofspiritualprogress.Resistanceaspowerfullykeepsusin

    attachmentasdirectattachmentdoes.Thespiritualway requiresus tobe

    detached while living in the world. We are in acceptance without any

    resistance.

    Thusacceptancemaniyeisastatewhereweagreeandalsodonotresist.

    Webelieveandact.We takethingsassuch.Wearecoolwhenthere isup

    andweare coolwhen there is down.We enjoy the life in theworld and

    accptitsupsanddown.

    Thisstateofacceptanceisofparamountimportanceinspirituallife.

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    This Doubt and Resistance can only be overcome, through a state of

    acceptance.OurmindhastoreallyagreeandactonGuruswords.Wehave

    toactonGuruswords.Thisagreeing isbelieving theGuruswords.This is

    acceptanceandthestateofmaniye.

    InthisstatewhentheGurusaystheGODisnearyou,weacceptassuch.We

    keepaccepting

    such

    and

    soon

    begin

    to

    feel

    that

    GOD

    is

    near.

    InJapjiSahibtheGurujihaswrittenanddescribedthestageaSikhreaches

    whenthrowingasidedoubttheguruswordisbelievedandacceptedbythe

    mind.

    Thestate(spiritual)thatacceptancebringsaboutcannotbedescribed.

    Onewhotriestodescribethisshallregrettheattempt.

    Nopaper,nopen,noscribecanrecordthisstate.

    SuchistheImmaculatestateofNaam(therealreality).

    Onlyonewhosemindaccepts(GuruswordsabouttheNaam)

    comestoreachsuchastateofmind.||12||

    SGGS

    1

    (Japji)

    There are three more pauries (stanzas) about the state that maniye

    (believing)opensup.

    This isa subtle spiritual step thatopensup thedoor that takes themind

    frombeingsolelyengrossedinmaterialworldobliviousofunderlyingunseen

    reality. The unseen reality is Naam, the real reality that ispresence of

    Waheguruji.ThisrealrealityisOnenessallaround.Theconnectionwiththis

    real reality is start of living again in our true home . Can this state be

    described,it

    only

    has

    to

    be

    reached

    and

    experienced.

    The

    Guruji

    asserts

    that

    believingthisunseenrealityisthedoor.Thisbelievingisnotjustintellectual

    talkwhichisknownbutafeelingbasedconnectionwhichisacceptedbythe

    mind.

    Tomakethispointmoreclearletuslookatonequalitywhichiswithinus

    enthusiasm.Presentlyyoumaynotbefeeling this,butjustgetupanddo

    anyworkwith enthusiasm assuming youarealready enthusiastic.Believe

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    andactenthusiasticandyouwouldfindthatyouhavebecomeenthusiastic.

    Do the samewithsomeotherquality.Youcanactveryconfidentandyou

    wouldfindthisqualityismanifestedinreality.

    Ourmindlivesinmaterialworldsohowcanitaccepttheunseenrealitynot

    yetmanifested.WhenGurusays(Gurumeresang,sadahehnale..)iswithin

    allalong thenacceptandactas ifGuru (shabad) iswithinand the reality

    wouldmanifest.

    The Mool which guru states is the real reality and the gurumantra

    Waheguru is the key that starts the Sikh towardsmeditationpath that

    connectswith theMoolourorigin.Thisoneword is the connecting link.

    Thisenablesus to repeatedlykeep tellingourmind the true reality till the

    mindbecomesabelieverandliftsitsvielthatblocksourconnection.

    LetusseehowWaheguruSimranconnectsuswiththeMool.

    TheWaheguruSimraniscloselyconnectedwiththeMOOLMantra.

    ShreeGuruGranthSahebjibeginswithMoolMantraandWaheguruSimran

    withadirectlinkisfocusedtowardsthechangebacktoorigin.Hereishow

    thedirectiontakesus.

    EkoNkaar EkoankaarsymbolizesHIM.TheEKwhichmeansone

    symbolizesoneness.ThereisonlyHEintheentireuniverse.Everythingis

    HIMincludingusandthematerialworld.TheOngkarsymbolizesHIScreated

    universe.Fromtheformlesshascomeineverythingandsoisuniversal

    consciousness.Thecreatedworldisamayawhichmeansitappearsreal

    butisnotreal.

    OnewhoisnotSEENcanbeknownbygoingwithin.TheJapofgurumantra

    isthewaytomovewithin.ThereisonenessandWaheguruSimran along

    withGuruswisdomleadsustoconnectuswithourmool.TheMoolmantra

    guidesus

    in

    this

    path.

    satnaamSatmeans truth.Truth is thatwhichdoesnotchange.Eternal

    Truth is His Name (identity).He is also our real identity. Our individual

    consciousnessissimplyHISconsciousnessintermingledwith(anillusionary)

    egothatcreatesexperienceofseparateness.ThecreatedworldisalsoSat

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    aplaceherecreatoralsoresides.Infactcreationishisanotherroop.

    Gurujisays

    ThisworldistheHouseoftheTrueLord;

    withinwhichdwellstheTrueLord.

    SGGS463

    Andalsosays:

    ThiswholeworldwhichyouseeistheroopoftheLord;

    thisroopoftheLordbecomesvisible.

    SGGS922

    WhiledoingWaheguruSimranSEESatswaroopofWahegurueverywhere

    andin

    everything.

    Thisroopmaynotbevisiblefirstbutistobeacceptedastrue.Keepdoing

    Simran.Doitdailyeverywhereandlookingateverything.Reciteandaffirm

    throughShabadsofGurbani.Therearemany ShabadsinGurbaniwhich

    statethistruthandaretoberecitedalongwithWaheguruSimran.

    ThisSimranisWah!Wah!Wah!.... .ThisSIMRANisjustTUHI!TUHI! TUHI

    !

    observing

    what

    is

    not

    SEEN

    but

    is

    there.

    Later

    having

    the

    FEELING

    of

    presence.

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    AASAA,FIFTHMEHL: HeHimselfisthetree,andthebranchesextendingout.

    HeHimselfpreservesHisowncrop.||1||whereverIlook,IseethatOne

    Lordalone. Deepwithineachandeveryheart,HeHimselfiscontained.||1

    ||Pause|| HeHimselfisthesun,andtheraysemanatingfromit. Heis

    concealed,andHeisrevealed.||2|| Heissaidtobeofthehighest

    attributes,

    and

    without

    attributes.

    Both

    converge

    onto

    His

    single

    point.

    ||

    3

    || SaysNanak,theGuruhasdispelledmydoubtandfear. Withmyeyes,I

    perceivetheLord,theembodimentofbliss,tobeeverywhere.||4||17||

    68||

    Sggs387

    WhenHEsointended,HEcreatedtheworld. Withoutanysupportingpower,

    HEsustainedtheuniverse. HEcreatedBrahma,VishnuandShiva(birth,

    sustainanceand

    death

    cycle)

    ;HE

    fostered

    enticement

    and

    attachment

    to

    Maya.||14|| HowrareisthatpersonwholistenstotheWordofthe

    Guru'sShabad. HEcreatedthecreation,andwatchesoverit;theHukamof

    HISCommandisoverall. Heformedtheplanets,solarsystemsandnether

    regions,andbroughtwhatwashiddentomanifestation.||15||

    SGGS1036

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    kartaapurakh He istheDoerofeverything.KartaPurakhmeansthatHIS

    presence is the real creative force. Everything in theworld including the

    physicallawsaresobecauseofHISpresence.HEistherealkarta(thedoer)

    theinvisiblecreativeforce.ThisforceasShabadroophascreatedtheworld

    .

    ThehukamoftheWahegurujiasprevailingintheworldisnoteasily

    perceived.WhiledoingWaheguruSimranOBSERVEtheHukam.Gurujihas

    explainedsoinJapjisahib(thepauriisgivenabove).

    Hukamiseverywhere.AllactshaveHukamunderlyingthem.

    EverythingisKudrat(powerofcreationthatunderlies) andYOUarethe

    CreatorandCreated(both);allpowerfulHoliestoftheHoly. SaysNanak,

    when(everythingis)seenwithHukam(prevailingandunderlying);

    HEisseenandpervadingthecreation.||2|

    SGGS464(asadivar)

    UnderstandingactionofHukamandseeingitinactionisthewaytoknow

    thecreator.TheHukamandHukmibothcoexists.ThisisthewayofSimran.

    RepeatWaheguruandSeetheHukaminplayisthewaytowardsbeing

    awareofonenessandSeeingthecreatorWaheguruinCreation.

    Ourmindisnotaccustomedtothiswayoflookingatcreation.Themindsees

    itselfseparatewithawillandself identity.Soiseverythingseeninthis

    worldseparate

    and

    with

    separate

    individuality.

    The

    world

    is

    compartmentalizedandsoalsoourindividualactions.Wearelivingina

    worldofcontexts.Withinthecontextofthismaterialworldwehave

    individualityandindividualwill.ChangethecontexttoprevailingHukamand

    ourwillisalsowithintheHukamandsoalsoouractions.Dowehavea

    separatewill?Answerisyesandno,dependinguponthecontext.

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    Anexampleforunderstandingisacomputergame.Thecharacterwithin

    actsandthereisacorrespondingeffect.Isnotallactionsalreadywithinthe

    programmewhereasvisibleareonlythosebeingplayed.Samewaythis

    worldisaworldofpossibilitiesandouractionsarewithintheframework

    connectedwithourthoughtswhichareinfluencedbybeliefscreatedby

    previousactions

    and

    collective

    consciousness.

    Just

    think

    do

    we

    really

    have

    anindependent willorthewillonlyappearstobeindependent.Inreality

    oursupposedlyindependentwillisfullydependentandinfluencedbybeliefs,

    circumstances,situations,environmentalinputs.Itchoosestheactions

    programmedfromthepossibilitiesgivingillusionofseparateness.

    DoWaheguruSimranandcontemplate.AsGurujisaysdoVicharwhichisan

    inherentpartofSimran.ThisSimranonHukamispossiblewhenwemove

    withinus.Whenourawarenessisfunctioningfromafocalpointinthe

    materialworldweareconnectedwiththematerialworld.Changethefocalpoint,bringawarenesswithinandtheviewfromwithinisthenconnected

    withtheviewthatisbehindthematerialworld,theactionofhukamand

    presenceofHukami.AsGurujisaysbelow:

    ByGuru'sGrace,onewhodieswhileyetalive,understandsHukam.

    SGGS

    555

    Todiewhilealivemeanstotheattractionsoftheworld.Itislivingdetached.

    Thisneedstobeelaboratedmore.

    Firstaboutthenatureoftheworld.Thesciencetellsusthatfurtherto

    subatomicoraquantumlevelthematterisvibration.Atsubtlelevelitis

    energy anintelligentenergy.

    Weliveinthisworldwithourawarenessfocusedoutward.Weare

    connectedwiththeworldwiththought,emotionsandatsubtlelevelenergylinks.Thefivepassions(kama,krodh,lobh,moh,ahankar)areourever

    companions.Thisissobecausethematerialworldisaworldofduality.It

    hasloveaswellasfear.Ifthereisangersoalsothereisaffection.Wehave

    desiresandneeds.Howcanwecomeoutofthisandbeinloveandpeace?

    Howcanwebecomepureandremovetheshackles?Gurujisansweristo

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    liveinHukamandRaza.Thiswayoflifegetswrittenasourkarmaleadingto

    Bhag(gooddestiny).

    Razameansacceptanceandcontentment.Itmeansnottobeaffectedbyup

    anddownsofthelifeandtoremaineven.Thismeansanunderstandingof

    unseenreality.Therazaisdetachmentbutnotdenyingorresistance.The

    worldis

    lived

    in

    but

    without

    being

    involved

    with

    passions.

    It

    is

    lived

    with

    finerqualitiesoflife.Itistolivealifeof love,confidence,tolerance,peace,

    helpfulness,sharing, esteemandenthusiasmandwithawarenessofbeing

    jyoteswaroope.Thisstateis notachievedthroughanyfightwithourmind

    orresistingtheflowoffivepassionstheworldbringsbutthroughinner

    connectionandSimran.

    Theinnerconnectioncomeswhenawarenessisshiftedwithin.Gurbanialso

    callsthisstateunman.

    ListentojapofgurumantraWaheguruwhilerecitingittilltheawarenessispulledwithin.Keepthefocalpointofawarenesswithinevenwheneyesare

    openanddoingchoreswhichareautomatic.KeepuptheSimran.

    TheSikhdoesnotfightsthemindsoveritsevermovementofthoughtsnor

    triestostillit.

    TheSikhinsteadmoldsanddirectsitwithjapofGurbaniandSimran.

    TheSikhdoesnotresistwhathashappened.TheSikhacceptsthehappening

    whetherrightorwrongandtakesfurtheraction.

    ThelifeoftheSikhisnotpassive(fatalistic)butethicallydynamic.

    AstheSikhcontemplatesonHukamandobservesitsplaythetrue

    detachmentcomesin.Withhukamandhukamiaroundhowthepassions

    cantrouble.

    TheSikhthenlivesasbelow:

    WhentheWordoftheShabadabidesonedeepwithin,thirstanddesireare

    quenched. WhenoneunderstandstheHukam,hismindplaysthelifegame

    aschess;controlled mindthrowingthedice,.||3||

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    SGGS793

    nirbhao Withoutfear.FearisnotapartofHIM.Fearisanillusionarypart

    ofcreation.Aworkofmaya(thegrandillusion).

    nirvair Withoutvengeanceoranger.Thisagaindoesnot symbolizeHIM

    butismaya.Theseexistinthecreatedworld.

    (TheWahegurujisessencehasnottobeidentifiedwithhavingevenaniota

    offearorvengeance. AshumansthefirstattemptistothinkofaGodlike

    humanbutwithSuperhumanpowers.Godisnotatalllikethat.Guruji

    explicitlystatethatWahegurujiisnirbhaoandnirvair.Tobeabsolutely

    clearGurujifurtherexplainstheMoolasbelow.)

    akaal moorat Undying form (deathless).HE is eternal. Ever same. Has

    timelessexistence.Deathisthereinthecreatedworld.

    ajoonee Unborn. Birth and death is in the created word. He is akal

    meaningeverlivingandhasnotbeenborn.

    saibhaN Notbegotten,beingofHisownBeing.Saibanghmeansexistsas

    suchandselfcreated.ThereisnootheronlyHIM.

    With the above clarity, the Sikh can shift awayfromwhat is seen in the

    world somanyconceptsaboutGod:

    Godwithhumanform;asan idol.Asanangry revengefulGod.God that

    createsearthquakesandbringsuntoldmisery.

    TheSikhhastobeclearaboutwhataspectsofGodarelurkinghiddeninthe

    mindandchangethesetogurmatguidedknowledge.

    gurparsaad. BytheGraceoftheGuru,madeknowntomankind.

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    WearesomuchinanillusionofseparatenessandourownidentitythatHIS

    knowledge can come only throughGurus grace.Only a real guru in one

    withHIMcanimpartthisknowledgeandshowthepathofself realization

    realizationandawarenessofourtrueorigin.TheGuruisONEwithHIMand

    shows us the path tomeetHIMwithin uswhereHE then asGURUGOD

    (ShabadGuru)

    guides

    further

    to

    bring

    in

    the

    awareness

    and

    Union.

    All

    this

    is

    aworkofgrace.ThePrasad,thatonlytheGurugives.

    TheShabadGurumeetsusfirstintheworgsofGurbani.ThepullofGurbani

    takesourawarenesswithin.Thepathofsimranmakesusseetheprevailing

    hukam. The Sikhs spiritual knowledge getsperfected through association

    and vichar of Gurbani. When the Sikh keeps awareness within then the

    Anhad isheardandsoalsotheguidanceofShabadGuruwithin.Thestage

    whenhaumeisshed.

    ByGuru'sGrace,Heabidesinthemind,and

    ego (separateidentity)isdrivenout.

    SGGS31

    Waaho!Waaho!ThosehumblebeingseverpraisetheLord,untowhomthe

    LordHimself

    grants

    understanding.

    Through

    Jap

    of

    Waaho!

    Waaho!,

    the

    mindispurified,andegotismdepartsfromwithin.

    SGGS515

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    5 .W a h e gu r u Sim r a n : F ive Kh a n d s o f J a p ji S a h i b

    InJapjiSahibfivekhandshavebeendescribed.Khandmeansapart.These

    KhandscanbedescribedasfiveaspectsorstagesofspirituallifewhichSikh

    has to move through to become panch parvan. These guide the Sikh

    towardsspiritualdirectionthathastobetaken.Anunderstandingofthese

    khandsisimperativeforawarenessofspiritualdirection.ForaSikhVicharof

    GurbaniisapartofSimran.

    Simran isremembrancewithanaim towardsknowing, thenclosenessand

    thenonenesswithWaheguruji.TheVichar(thinkinganddwellingonatopic

    for knowledge and understanding) of the five Khands described by Guru

    NanakDevjiinJapjiSahibgivesunderstandingandclarityofthepath.

    LetuslookhowGurujidescribestheseKhands

    1.DharamKhand

    ThisKhandreferstothekarmic lifeofbeingsonearthandtheirdailytryst

    withKarma.

    Guru

    ji

    has

    called

    earth

    aDharamshal

    (a

    home

    of

    Dharma).

    This

    ishowGurujidescribetheDharamKhand.

    The earth is a place where day, night, day and date have been

    created along withAir, water,fire and the Sky. There is so much

    varietyof livingbeingsonearth.Asaretheirdeedsandactions,so is

    theirresult.The lawofKarmathus isbehindtheir lifecircumstances.

    Theresultofkarmamaylookunjustifiedoutwardlybutisacorrective

    justiceofthelawasinHIStruecourtonlytruthprevails. Itisalsothe

    karmadone

    while

    living

    on

    earth

    that

    attracts

    the

    Nadar

    (Grace),

    whichisthesignthatthepersonisnowopentodwellinnextkhand.

    TheSikhreceivesthefruitofhis thoughtandactionandgoesahead

    throughJapandSimran.SuchistheDharmaintheDharamKhand.

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    35

    Comments:

    Gurujihaspointedouthow thebeingsare living thekarmic lifeonearth

    andhasgiventhewayoutformovingontootherkhands. Theworkingof

    lawof

    Karma

    is

    closely

    connected

    with

    our

    thought

    and

    deeds.

    As

    are

    our

    thoughtssoareour lifecircumstances.Thedirectionour life is takingand

    events good or bad (asper our own interpretation) are all results of our

    thinkingand feelings. It is thebeliefs thatourmindhaswhichattract the

    circumstances. The five passions ( kam,kroth,lobh,moh and ahankar) in a

    hiddenwaydominateourmindsthoughtsandourbehavioursotheresults

    wouldobviouslybeinsynchronicity.

    Thewayout is inshifting theminds thoughtpattern. It is in transforming

    themindbychangingthefocus.Wehavetowinourmindtoshifttowards

    thewayof lifeoftheGurmukh.Gurujidoesnotaskustocontrolthemindor resist the fivepassionsbutshiftandchangeour lifestyleand thoughts.

    Thisisaccomplishedthroughembracingthelifestylealignedwithdirections

    ofShreeGuruGranthsahibji.

    Guruji has referred to this way as japehjai. Jap means to repeat. By

    repeating and doing an action again and again the change the

    transformation comes in.Hereweare transforming themind so thenew

    thoughtisrepeated.ThewayoftheGurmukhhastohaveregularity.These

    shifts comprise in having regularly a life where there is satsang, nitnem,

    Gurbani kirtan listening, Gurbani Vichar, Waheguru Simran, seva, sharing

    andtruthfulliving.ThesebringNadargraceandtheSikhstartsdwellingin

    otherKhands.

    2.GyanKhand:

    TheGurbanialthoughsimpleinwordshasmeaningsbehindeachandevery

    word.As

    Vichar

    is

    done

    the

    Gurbani

    opens

    up

    doors

    and

    more

    doors

    of

    knowledgeandwisdom.FirstletusseehowGurujihasdescribedtheGyan

    Khand:

    To speakof is theKarmaofGyanKhand.. Somanywinds,waters

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    36

    andfires;somanyKrishnasandShivas. SomanyBrahmas,fashioning

    formsofgreatbeauty,adornedanddressedinmanycolors. Somany

    worldsand landsforworkingoutkarma.Soverymany lessonstobe

    learned! Somany Indras,somanymoonsandsuns,somanyworlds

    andlands. SomanySiddhasandBuddhas,somanyYogicmasters.So

    manygoddessesofvariouskinds. Somanydemigodsanddemons,so

    manysilent

    sages.

    So

    many

    oceans

    of

    jewels.

    So

    many

    ways

    of

    life,

    so

    manylanguages.Somanydynastiesofrulers. Somanyawarepeople,

    somanydevotees,says ONanak,His limithasno limit!||35|| In

    the realmofwisdom, spiritualwisdom reigns supreme. The Sound

    currentoftheNaadvibrates,amidstthesoundsandthesightsofbliss.

    Comments:

    Itisoftensaidthatthespiritualpath istravelledalone.Quitetruethetrueseekerhastoresistthemindsinclinationstofollowwhatmassesaredoing.

    Inthebeginningtheremaybe likemindedsatsangisand laterhastogo

    further alone with only the Guru as company. The mind also has to be

    focusedontheformlessGODnotvisiblebutintheallform.Whenthemind

    worships the form the devotee is not able to go beyond form. This is

    probablythereasonGurujiaskstheSikhthatthekarmaofGyanKhandisto

    knowvastnessofcreationandthatformsthatthe mindmaybetemptedto

    worshipareonlypartofWahegurujiscreation.

    Thepurposeofgyan isnot simply to knowbut to transformaswell.The

    spiritual knowingness transforms and bring the Sikh nearer to the

    Waheguru.ThewordwaheguruitselfdirectstheSikhtolookattheHukam

    prevailing,thevastnessofcreationandtheseetheunseeninthecreation.

    There is love (preet) that develops in this ever proximity . There is

    humbleness that builds up through dwelling in this gyan. The

    transformationisanaccesstotheworldofNaadandAnand.

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    3. Saramkhand

    ThisishowGurujidescribestheSaramkhand.

    Inthe

    realm

    of

    humility,

    the

    Word

    is

    form.

    These

    are

    fashioned

    with

    incomparable distinctness here. These things cannot be described.

    One who tries to speak of these regrets the past. The surt

    (awareness), intellect and understanding of the mind are shaped

    here. The consciousness of the spiritual warriors of spiritual

    perfection,areshapedthere.

    Comments:

    Thisis

    the

    khand

    of

    humility.

    The

    self

    identity

    (haume)

    within

    acreated

    beingisthecausethat thecreationexists.Thewholecreationisrestingon

    beinghavingseparate identity.Sothecreator isalsodistinctandseparate.

    The haume also is theway to come out. In theway throughWaheguru

    Simran, the mind is reshaped to accept haume ( the consciousness of

    separatenessvsoneness )wherejyote is injyote..How thiscomesabout,

    cannot be fully described but has to get involved to get inkling. This is

    shabadsurt interplay.Theawarenessof theSikhchanges.TheSikhbegins

    tointuitivelyknowmeanings.ThemindoftheSikhistransformed.Thereis

    humblenessin

    words

    and

    action.

    4.KaramKhand

    ThisishowGurujihasdescribedKaramKhand

    Intherealmofkarma,theWordisEffort. Nooneelsedwellsthere,

    except

    the

    great

    spiritual

    heroes.

    They

    are

    totally

    imbued

    with

    the

    onenessconsciousness. Theyaresewntogetherwiththecreator

    filledwithaweofHISglory. Theirform(mind)cannotbedescribed.

    Theydonotdie(donotreincarnate) andsoneitheraredeceived(by

    maya)when withinwhosemindstheLordabides. Here(inKaram

    Khand)devoteesofmanyworldsdwell. Theyareinanand(spiritual

    joy)astheTruelordabidesintheirmind.

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    Comments:

    InKaramkhand fruitofeffortisseen.Whatbetterwaytoteachthanto

    showthegoaloftheeffort.InthebaniArti Gurujihassaid

    Thouhavethousandsofeyes,andyetThouhavenoeyes.Thouhave

    thousandsof

    forms,

    and

    yet

    Thou

    do

    not

    have

    even

    one.

    Thou

    have

    thousandsofLotusFeet,andyetThoudonothaveevenonefoot.

    Thouhavenonose,butThouhavethousandsofnoses.ThisPlayof

    THEEentrancesme.

    ThisistheSimranofdevoteesinKaramKhand.Imbuedwithonenessthe

    onewhoseesthroughtheireyesisHIM.onewhowalksisHIM.Onewho

    talksisHIM.OnewhohearsisHIM.Herethehaumewhichisselfidentity

    creatingillusionofseparatenessisrelegatedtobackground.Weliveina

    contextualworld.Wehavefreewill,butatthesametimecomingoutofthe

    contextofourfreewillworld,allwillisHISwill.SoourfreewillisHISwill.Thedevoteeevermakesefforttoliveinoneness inHISpresencewithin

    andoutside. Thiseffortsewsthereawareness(everattemptingtoremain

    outwardinthematerialworld)withinwiththatofthecreatorandso

    becomeinnerconnected.

    5.SachKhand

    ThisishowGurujihasdescribedSachKhand

    IntherealmofTruth,theFormlessLordabides. Havingcreatedthe

    creation,HEwatchesoveritandHISNadar(GlanceofGrace),

    bestowshappiness(tothedevotee). Thereareplanets,solarsystems

    andgalaxies. Ifonespeaksofthem,thereisnolimit,noend. There

    areworldsuponworldsofHisCreation.AsisHIScommands,sothey

    operate. SaysNanak,observe(thisplayofHukam)anddoVichar.

    Theeffortisahardpath

    Comments:

    TheadobeoftheCreatorisSachKhand.Sach(true)becauseallelseis

    creationwithnopermanence.Thecreatedareeverchanging.Everythingis

    withinthecycleoflifeanddeath.Nothingissamefrommomentto

    moment.SuchistheplayofMaya.Eventimeisanillusion.Creationcomes

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    39

    andcreationgoes.Onlypermanenceisthecreator.SotheKartaisSach

    (truth)ascomparedtocreationwhichissobig andappearsrealbutisnot

    so.TheplayofcreationisunderHISHukam(command)asGurujihas

    describedinjapjisahibinthebeginningpauries.Theformlessistobefound

    throughobservingandlivingthroughHISHukamraza.Thisishowthe

    shacklesofMayaarebroken. InGurbanilotofimportanceisgivento

    Vichar.In

    fact

    Vichar

    is

    part

    of

    Simran.

    Vichar

    and

    then

    the

    effort

    of

    Simran

    isthehardpathadevoteetravels.Aswhenthefruitisripethefarmer

    plucksitsotheCreatorbestowsthenadaronthedevotee.Thedevotee

    thenisnearertothecreatorwiththeillusionofmayaandofHaumebeing

    lifted.

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    6 . W a h e gu r u S im r a n : Sh a b a d Na a mWhilereadingSriGuruGranthSahibJi,theSikhoftencomesacrosswords

    ShabadandNaamandwondersattheirmeaning.

    Anattempt

    is

    made

    here

    to

    explain

    Naam

    in

    simple

    words

    with

    Gurbani

    beingtherealguide.

    GurbaniexplainsthattheShabadisthecauseandcreatoroftheuniverse.

    Wholecreationhasbeenandisbeing createdbytheShabadandShabad

    endsthecreationaswell.

    SGGSpage117

    CreationanddestructionhappenthroughtheShabad.

    ThroughtheShabad,creationhappensagain.

    TheGurmukhknowsthattheonlyTruthHIMSELFispervading.The

    Gurmukhunderstandscreationandmerger.||1||

    SGGSpage117

    Asexplained

    by

    Gurbani

    before

    creation

    there

    had

    been

    only

    Vismad

    blissorwonder.

    Wecanonlyexpressasenseofwonderaboutthebeginningfromthevoid

    (nothingnessascomparedwithsomething).Theabsoluteabidedendlessly

    deepwithinHimselfthen.

    SGGS940(sidhgost)

    Forendlesseons,therewasonlymist(obscurity).

    SGGS1035

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    Theworldwascreatedthroughtheshabad thecreatororGod.Andthe

    createdworldareflectionofthebliss:

    TheworldisareflectionofHIM;Whohasnofatherormother.

    SGGS1035

    TheShabadisallpervading.Theprocessofcreationanddestructionever

    keepgoingincycles(smallandbigger).Theseareevergoingon.

    Whateverisbeingcreatedgetsdestroyed,andthencreationoccursagain.

    Withinthecreatedalsoareelementsofcreationdestructioncreation.

    Arenotourbodycellsbeingdestroyedandregenerated?

    Eventhestonesandmetalshavinglongerlifearesubjecttoentropy.In

    naturenothingeverremainssame.Atquantumlevelthiscycleofcreation

    destructioncreation

    is

    ever

    continuing

    and

    so

    also

    at

    the

    level

    of

    galaxies.

    Allcreationisinalivingvibrantcreationcyclelikewavesonwaterinasea.

    GurbaniexplainsthatwithinallandeverythingistheShabadthecreator

    andalsohowtheNaamrevealstheunseen.

    SGGS944

    ThatShabaddwellsdeepwithinallbeings,

    UnknownandInvisible;whateverisseen,thereisseentheShabad

    (pervading).

    Listen,youhermitsandYogistheexplanation(revelation)aboutthe

    Shabad.

    It

    is

    that

    without

    the

    Naam,

    there

    is

    no

    Yoga.

    ThosewhoareattunedtotheNaam,remainintoxicatednightandday;

    ThroughtheNaam,theyfindpeace.

    ThroughtheNaam,everythingisrevealed;

    ThroughtheNaam,understandingisobtained.

    SGGS944

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    Shabadisthecreativeforce. Theuniverseiseverchangingandillusionary.

    UniversehascomeoutofSunn(void).

    Scientistsareasyetunawareoforiginofmatterandconsciousness.Already

    thescientists

    are

    looking

    at

    the

    connection

    of

    matter

    with

    consciousness

    andzeropointenergytofindtheanswer.

    GurbaniexplainsthattheonlySatt(truth)isWaheguruthecreatorand

    thecreationislikeabubbleinwaterorlikewavesonthewater..Naamis

    thesupportthatpervadesthecreation.Naamisastateofbeing.

    NaamistheessenceoftheKarta(creator)thatpervades and throughthe

    NaamconnectiononeconnectswithWaheguruji.

    Gurbaniexplainsthat:

    SGGS284

    TheNaamistheSupportofallcreatures.

    TheNaamistheSupportoftheearthandsolarsystems.

    TheNaamistheSupportoftheSimritees,theVedasandthePuraanas.

    TheNaamistheSupportbywhichwehearofspiritualwisdomand

    meditation.

    TheNaam

    is

    the

    Support

    of

    the

    Akaashic

    ethers

    and

    the

    nether

    regions.

    TheNaamistheSupportofallbodies.

    TheNaamistheSupportofallworldsandrealms.

    AssociatingwiththeNaam,listeningtoitwiththeears,oneissaved.

    ThosewhomtheLordmercifullyattachestoHisNaam

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    ONanak,inthefourthstate,thosehumbleservantsattainsalvation.||5||

    SGGS284

    LetuslookatanotherexplainationwithinSGGSji.

    SGGS436

    HEHimselfadornedHimself;HEHimselfcreatedNaam.

    HEcreatednatureasadualityandseatedHimself

    withinthecreationbeholdingitwithdelight.

    SGGS436

    Thecreationisaduality,meaningfrombeingONEHEcreatednatureto

    appearasmanywithadualidentity onetrue(sat)andtheother

    illusionary.Thecreateddonotidentifythemselveswiththecreator.This

    separateidentityanddistinctivenessisallpervadingintheworld.The

    directionofspiritualityistoshedthisgrandillusionandbeONE.

    TheNaamisHIScreationandisthewaytowardsbecomingONE.

    WithNaamweconnectwithWahaguruthecreator.

    TheShabad

    enables

    us

    to

    connect

    with

    Naam.

    SGGS644

    Throughthe

    Shabad,

    the

    Naam

    sprouts

    up;

    through

    the

    Shabad,

    we

    are

    united(withcreator).WithouttheShabad,thewholeworldiscrazy,losing

    lifeinvain.

    SGGS644

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    Thelifeweliveisdefinitelycrazy.Welookforhappinessinthingswhichdo

    notgivehappiness.Wearedrivenbyfivepassionswhichruleour

    behaviour.Wedesire,desireanddesire.Weareanxious,stressedandin

    everfear.IfonlywecouldhavehadNaamthenwewouldhaveexperiences

    oftruejoy.Thefearandanxietywouldnotplagueus.Trueprosperitywould

    bewithuswithoutbeingtroubledbyfivepassions.Thislifehascommunion

    withGod.

    We

    would

    have

    company

    of

    truth

    and

    would

    have

    joy

    living

    as

    cocreator.

    TheShabadalsomanifestedasBani.ThewordsofGurbaninotonlygive

    spiritualwisdombutchangesourstateofmind.TheGurbanitransformsour

    mind.WethenbegintoperceiveNaam.Weconnectandaresurrounded,

    immersedinNaam.Naamisthenseenasouressence.TheSikhandThe

    Naamarethenone.

    Mindisdrenched,bybeingattunedtotheShabad.

    WithouttheNaamthereisnoothersupport.

    SGGS 1031

    SGGS1066

    AstheGurbanigetsknownintheworld;

    SowiththisBani,theNaamisobtained.

    SGGS1066

    SGGS910

    Thereisnoworship,otherthanthroughtheNaam;

    theworldwanders,deludedbydoubt.

    SGGS910

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    NaamisaStateofBeing.

    WiththetouchofNaamweareintouchwithourorigin.

    WefeelWaheguruji.

    WesenseWahegurujiwithinthecreation.

    WefeelHISpresence.WeobserveHISHukamprevailingintheworld.

    TheGurbaniisShabadroop.ReadingGurbani,knowingGurbani,listening

    Gurbani,singingGurbaniourstateofmindchangesandthenweconnect

    withNaam.

    TheShabadistheTrueGuruthatiseverwithinus.TheShabadGuruspoke

    throughtheTenGurus.TheShabadGuruisenshrinedinGurbaniShabads.

    AswedoSimranwegowithin.WethendocommunionwiththeShabad

    Guru.

    TheShabadGurutalksthroughinnerdialogue.

    TheShabadGuruexplains.ShabadGuruhadguidedthesaintsandisever

    thetrueguidenow.InkalyugGuruNanakcameandHISGurubeingShabad

    Guru.TheShabadasGurbaniguidesandtakesuswithinintouchwith

    Naam.

    SGGS1306

    Searchwithyearningmindcallingout,""Guru,Guru"".

    MyBelovedLovestheLove.

    SGGS1306

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    SGGS910

    TrueBanispeaktheTruth;enshrinesloveoftrueNaam.

    TheDestroyeroffear,theDestroyerofsin;

    myGodistheonlysupportintheend.

    HEHimselfiseverywhereandeverything;SaysNanak,thisawarenessis

    knownthroughthegloriousNaam.

    SGGS910

    SGGS293

    TheninetreasuresareintheAmbrosialNaamofGod.

    Withinthehumanbodyisitsplaceofrest.TheDeepestSamaadhi,andthe

    unstrucksoundcurrentoftheNaadarethere.Thewonderandmarvelofit

    cannotbe

    described.

    SGGS293

    GazeuponGod,thewonderous.

    SGGS837

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    7. Na a m Ra n gNaam isa stateofbeing that imbues the SikhdoingNaam Simran in the

    Naamrang(color).WithNaamSikhlivesconnectedwiththemool(origin).

    Gurujihaveexplicitlystatedthat :

    sggs

    441

    Omymind,youaretheembodimentoftheDivineLight recognizethyown

    origin.Omymind,theDearLordiswithyou;throughtheGuru'sTeachings,

    enjoybeingimbuedinHIScolor.

    sggs441

    When the Sikh begins to be imbued in Naam Rang there begins a

    transformation.Frombeingasevak(devoteeservant)theSikhbeginstofeel

    HISpresence.

    The

    unfolding

    is

    from

    being

    separate

    individual

    towards

    oneness.

    The transformation isbroughtaboutbySimran.TheSimran is theGurmat

    way tomakeourmindknow thesat (truth),accept the sat (truth),belive

    thesat(truth)andtoliveasembodimentofsat(truth).

    Theabovewordsof theGurujithatManThoonJothSaroopHaiAapanaa

    MoolPashhaan.isadirectiveaddressedtothemindoftheSikh.Themind

    hasto

    be

    told

    again

    and

    again

    that

    it

    is

    jyote

    swaroop.

    The mind by virtue of being a human believes in selfidentity. The mind

    believesitselfahumanbodyandtheself(haume)isthedrivingforceinthe

    worldofmaya.Thelifethatisbeinglivedandallitsbehaviouristovindicate

    and sustain thisbelief.Thewholemayas structureofworldlyaffairs, the

    emotionsandthinkingistokeeptheindividualityalive.

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    Becomingjyote swaroop is a transformation from a Haume (individual

    selfidentity) to a Mool aligned identity with the element of Haume

    graduallyfadingaway.

    Mindresiststhechange.Theresistsanyinwardlook.Themindalsoresists

    anynewideas.Apotenttoolthemindusesisdoubtanddisbelief.Insucha

    scenariohowaSikhcanexperienceNaamrang.

    TheSikhhasGurbani.TheSikhthatstretchesishandisheldbytheGuru.

    TheGuruguidestheSikh.ThewayoftheGuru,thegurmatisthepathto

    travel.TheSikhdoesSimranforthepurposeofbeingimbuedwithNaam

    .TheGurubestowstheSikhwiththewealthofNaam.

    LetusfirstseewhattheNaamexperienceisandhowitunfoldswithNaam

    Simran.

    1. TheshiftbeginswhenreadingofGurbanimovestoVicharandSimran.

    2. WithSimranthesurt(awareness)oftheSikhgoeswithin.Thesurtlikestorestwithin. TheSimranisdonewithinthemind.

    3. WithSurtbeingincreasinglywithinwhilereadingGurbaniandduringWaheguruSimrantheremaybeexperiencesofbodyachesinthe

    neck,shoulders,foreheadandexperienceofheatontopofhead.This

    passesawayaftersometimeasthebodydoesreadjustments.

    4. Therearefaitheventsinthelife.Theheathimproves,issuesgetresolved,thereisprosperity.TheSikhdevelopsrelationshipwiththe

    Guru andbecomeawarethatGuruandAkalPurakharesame.The

    SikhasksresponsiblyfromtheAkalPurakhandthefaithrequestgetsfulfilled.

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    5. Feelingofdetachment.Responsiblewithdrawalfromfamilyrelationshipsandsocialactivities.Thisdetachmentisnotgivingup

    butis

    more

    in

    the

    nature

    of

    becoming

    an

    observer.

    The

    grip

    of

    attachmentislessor.

    6. Quietnessbeginstodevelopalongwithincreased"selftalk."ThereisawarenessthatShabadGuruiseverwithin.Thereiscommunionwith

    theShabadGuruwithin.Theredevelopscompanionshipwiththe

    ShabadGuru.

    7. Intuitiveawarenessdevelops.Aquitsortofloving, joyousbuiltupcomesupattimes.AflowofAmritRasinthehead.

    8. ASikhthatdoesdeepSimranmeditationmayhavefurtherfaithexperiencesofseeingbrightlight,bodylightness,visionsetc.

    9. AstheSurtbeginstorestwithintheSikhhearsAnhadShabad.10.WithGuruKirpathentheSpiritualandthePhysicalaretogetherin

    SikhslifewhichwasthedirectionofSimran.TheSikhfeelsthe

    presenceofWaheguruwithinandeverywhereinthenatureand

    otherbeings.TheAnhadeverresounds. Inthistogethernessof

    physicalandspiritualthestartingpointoftheawarenessfocusisthen

    increasinglyfromwithinbehindtheeyesratherthanoutsideeven

    witheyesbeingopenandSikhgoingaboutthedailychores. TheSikh

    livesinHazuriandNaamrangthengrowsfurtherintheSikhinthis

    KaramKhand.

    More

    and

    more

    Spiritual

    experiences

    unfold

    with

    the

    fadingawayofthecolorofHaume.

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    NoamountofwordscantrulyconveytheSpiritualdevelopmentandthe

    Spiritualexperiences.TheSikhmeditationofSimranalignstheSikhwithThe

    Mool.

    GurbaniexplainsthatWahegurujiplacedHISjyote(light)andthensentthe

    bodyinthisworld.Gurbanialsoexplainsthattheworldisadwellingofthe

    Waheguruji

    eh

    jag

    Sacheh

    ki

    heh

    kothri,

    Sacheh

    ka

    vich

    vas.

    The

    nature

    ofrealityoftheworldisdifferentfromwhatitappears.Thespiritualpathis

    toknowthisrealityandliveconnectedwithNaam.

    ThewayisthatofmeditationthroughSimran.Simranmeanstoremember

    againandagainwhichisJap.TheSimrantobedoneisofGurbani,

    GurbaniVicharandGurumantraWaheguru.

    .

    Simranis

    remembrance

    with

    an

    aim

    towards

    knowing,

    then

    closeness

    and

    thenonenesswithWaheguruji.

    SimranwithGurbaniandVicharunfoldthecomplexconceptssothatthe

    mindknowsandaccepts.TheGurbanistatesthat

    ManMaaniaaThoHarJaaniaa||

    Whenthemindagrees,onlythentheGodcomestobeknown.

    SGGS656

    ThemindholdssomanywrongconceptsaboutGodandtheworldwelive

    in, manyofthesefromprimitivetime.Thesearecarriedovercollective

    consciousnessconceptsofthemankind.Thesehavebeenfurthermodified

    orchangedbythegroupconceptslikethoseofreligionandwithinreligion

    furthersubgroup.Theseconceptsareapartofoursubconsciousmindand

    componentsofcollectiveconsciousness.Thesubconsciousinfluencesour

    consciousmindandthinking.

    TheGurbaniaimstocorrectthewrongbeliefsandSimranwithVicharisa

    waytoenableourmindtoovercomethecollectiveconsciousnessinfluence.

    Thestrongfocusedthoughtsoftheindividualmindthenhavecorrect

    gurmatguidedbeliefsabouttheWaheguruji.

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    51

    8 . An h a d Sh a b a dTheawareness(surt)ofthepersonswhodoregularSimranormediation

    developsaninwardfocus.Thecloudinessofthethoughtsandemotionsis

    thinnerandthentheyeasilyhearthecelestialsound.Thissoundisknown

    asnaad.

    Gurbani

    calls

    it

    Anhad

    Shabad.

    .Anhad

    means

    the

    sound

    that

    is

    notproducedbystrikingoftwoobjects.Thissoundexistsassuchandhas

    divineorigin.

    LinkupwiththeCelistialSoundisanancientspiritualjugat(technique)of

    thesaintstoreachthehigheststateofmergerwiththeiroriginthe

    creatorLord.ThismethodwasreferredtobyGuruNanakDevji),the

    founderofSikhismduringhismeetingwithsidhasandthisconversation

    accountis

    described

    in

    Sidh

    Gosht.

    TherearereferencestotheCelistialSoundinallthereligionshowever

    descriptionofthemethodofSurtShabadisscant.Ihavecomeacross

    personswhohavebeendoingyogaandmeditationandhearthecelestial

    sound.Theyweresearchingforenlightenmentandnextstep.

    ThewaythatGuruNanakexplainedisanintegratedonewithunfoldingof

    theMoolandtheNaam.ThespiritualpaththroughtheShabad(celestial

    Sound)isdescribedinthehymnsinShriGuruGranthSahebji.

    ThisspiritualpathoftheShabadsurtcanbeappreciatedonlywhenthe

    shabadisunderstoodwell.ForthiswehavetoseehowGurmatexplains

    thecreation.

    TheworldisacreationofNirankar.

    NirankarmeanswithoutformorformlessandintheGuruGranthSahibji

    referenceistothisaspectofGod.TheGodhasthepowerorability

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    52

    meaningkalatoexistasformandsupporttheformwithoutappearingto

    haveanyconnectionwiththeform.Continuingwiththesamewayof

    expression,theEkankarisGodbeingoneappearingasmany.TheNirankar

    throughkaladharcreatedtheuniverse.Thecreationisoneness

    Ekankar.HEisboththeCreatorandtheCreation.ThisisHISAklkala.HE

    alsohas

    taken

    Shabad

    Roop

    to

    create

    and

    sustain

    creation.

    AmongtheaspectsoftheShabadoneissound.Thisiscelestialsound.

    Hereisanillustrationtoexplainthecreationprocess:

    Inthematerialworldthe soundiscreatedduetostrikingoftwoobjects

    sothisform ofsoundiscalledAhatNaad,whereasthecelestialsound

    heardduringmeditationiscalledAnahatNaadwhichisnot causedby

    strikingofobjects.GurmatexplainsthatthisShabadiseverywhereandin

    everything.

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    53

    Andherebelowsome GurbanilinesfromShreeGuruGranthSahibji are

    giventoclarifytheaboveexplanation:

    SGGS1066TheFormlessLordcreatedtheuniverseofform.HecreatedMaya(the

    illusiontosustainseparateidentities),Attachment(totheworld)and

    Hukam(HIScommand).TheCreatorHimselfstagesalltheplay;Listen

    andplace

    the

    true

    one

    in

    the

    mind

    (here

    path

    is

    being

    referred

    to).

    SGGS1066

    SGGS

    250

    NirankarHimselfisform,andasNirgun(withoutattributes),Sargun(with

    attributes)isOne. DescribetheOneLordasOne,andOnlyOne;

    saysNanak,HEistheOne,andthemany.

    SGGS250

    SGGS469HISLightisintheCreatedandCreationisinHISLight;knowthat

    ThroughHISalmightypower,HEispervadingeverywhere.

    SGGS469

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    54

    SGGS287HEHimselfisNirgun;HEHimselfisSargun.

    Thismanifestation

    is

    His

    power

    (kala

    dhar),

    the

    entire

    world

    is

    fascinated.

    SGGS287

    SGGS117

    CreationanddestructionhappenthroughtheShabad.ThroughtheShabad,creationhappensagain.

    SGGS117

    TheQuestioninSidhGost

    Where

    is

    the

    Shabad

    said

    to

    dwell?

    Which

    will

    carry

    us

    across

    theterrifyingworldocean?

    TheAnswerbyGuruNanakin SidhGost

    ThatShabaddwells unknown,withineverything.

    whereverIlook,

    there

    Isee

    the

    Shabad(HIM).

    SidhGhostSGGS944

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    55

    Shabadthatpervadestheentirecreationhasalsotakentheformofwords

    andisGurbani.ThisiswhyShreeGuruGranthsahibjiisknownasShabad

    Guru.TheShabadroopGurbaniis thefirstplacewheretheSikhfocuseshis

    Surt(consciousawareness).

    TheGurbanichangesthestateofmindoftheSikh.TheGurbaniguidesand

    givesdirectionandknowledge.AstheSikhprogressesspiritually,sodoes

    thislevelofguidance.TheSikhdoesWaheguruSimranaswell.The

    knowledgeofTheMool(Naam)unfolds.TheNaamstartstopermeatethe

    psycheoftheSikh.

    TheSikhhearstheAnhadShabad.TheSikhperceivesHISpresenceandstarts

    tolive

    in

    Hazuri.

    The

    Sikh

    has

    many

    spiritual

    experiences

    and

    is

    able

    to

    managethefivepassions.TheShabadGuruisperceivedwithinasaguide

    andcompanion.ThereiscommunionwiththeShabadGuru.TheAnhad

    ShabadshowsitsdifferentroopsandeverpullstheSurtupward.

    TheillustrationbelowexplainsthepathofshabadsurtasperGurmat.

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    TheGurmatpathofShabadSurtisanintegratedone.Thereare

    referencestothecelestialsoundinscripturesofotherreligionsaswell.

    TheCelestialsoundismentionedasprimodalsoundofcreationaswell.

    Thissoundissurelyasoundofcreation.Themeditatorshearitinvarious

    forms. Ithassoundofthefiveelementsandisthusalsoknownaspanch

    shabad.It

    also

    comprises

    sound

    of

    all

    the

    84

    lac

    created

    beings.

    The

    ShabadiscomingfromthetenthGate(DasamDwar).

    GurmatwayistolistentotheAnhadShabadandkeepdoingSimran.The

    integratedpathofGurmatenablestheSikhtofeelHispresence,tosee

    theonenessandtobeone.

    SGGS

    441

    MeetingtheTrueGuru(shabadguru),thewanderingmindisheldsteady;

    itcomestoabideinitsownhome. IttradesintheNaam,doesjapof the

    Naam,andremainsabsorbedintheNaam.Theoutgoing,wanderingsurt,

    uponmeetingtheTrueGuru,findstheTenthGate. There,Ambrosial

    Nectarisfoodandthecelestialmusicresounds;theshabadthatiskeeping

    theworldsupported. Themanystrainsoftheunstruckmelodyresound

    there,as

    one

    experiences

    the

    merger

    with

    the

    true

    one.

    Thus

    says

    Nanak:

    bymeetingtheTrueGuru,thewanderingmindbecomessteady,and

    comestodwellinthehomeofitsownself.


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