Texts of my 2 emails sent to a cyber friend.
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How to do simran (Part 1)
Email number 1 to an aspirant.
Question is how to do simran?
More you write, less it seems to be. There cannot be comprehensive and conclusive note thereof. Still a view>
What is simran?
Simran is contemplation on glories of God (waheguru) with love and devotion. Guru granth sahibjee has covered complete philosophy of cosmic play. Japjee sahib is its key. It is dhur ki baani. Waheguru’s precious gift to us through dhan dhan satguru Nanak Dev Jee maharaj.
The question was “Kiv sachiaaraa hoeeai kiv kooRai tuTai paal”( as to how false perception inscribed can be removed). And the answer is “Hukam rajhaaee chalNaa naanak likhiaa naal” (to obey HIS orders is the only way out). Second paudi, removes our ego and guides us that HE only is doer. We are able to and we do only what HE wishes. The self-imposed ego is barrier between us and God. What I feel, contemplation on this paudi removes our haume (ego). Without removing ego, simran is very difficult.
Then question was “Phaer ki agai rakhiai jit disai darbaar - Munhaou ki bolan boleeai jit sun dharae piaar”( What offering may be made, what language may be uttered to invoke the gift of His Love?) Mere satguru guided “Amrit vaela sach naaou vadiaaee veechaar”(the best course is to sing his glories in ambrosial hours of early morning). Though one should do simran most of the time, but amritvela is quite blissful.
Only akalpurakh waheguru is to be worshipped. The reflection is to be with love and devotion. And to increase same, one should endeavor to study scriptures, attend kirtan and satsangs, interact with gursikhs, perform seva in gurudwaras and other religious activites. Rehatmaryada should be followed and nitnem paths (with its understanding) should be followed. Sincere study of gurbani motivates and empowers us. Guru maharaj blesses with devotion and blessings of waheguru shower.
The above is my perception only.
Bhul chuk maaf karna jee.
Waheguru rakha.
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How to do simran? (Part 2)
My email number 2 to an aspirant.
You appreciated my answer. Thanks for it. Now keeping in view your sincere interest in spirituality, I want to share my experiences with you.
(1) There is difference between spirituality and religion, though these are inter-related. The purpose of religion is to enhance spirituality through rituals and practice. And the aim of spirituality is to explore inner self to link it with DIVINE. The scriptures, interalia are there to help us. Our guru sahib never guided to personal worshipping. He wanted to treat guru as sri guru granth sahib jee > Gurbani > communication from God that, we lovingly say SHABAD. In fact, the SHABAD, the divine communication had been guru of gurusahib too and we are also expected to follow SHABAD GURU. And satguru helps us, support us. Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee is living God. It is matter of faith. I get direction, inspiration, support, grace, bliss, consolation, God’s communication, when I approach guru sahib in full faith. Because there I get gurbani and then SHABAD(God’s communication). And when we get his blessing, only then we are inspired for spirituality and we get wisdom (SOJHI) to understand the concepts. Jis voh bujhaye soi janey. But let the divine light of spirituality come to you from all sources.
(2) Now the point is Sri guru granth sahib contains complete interpretations of cosmic play of God. More you read, more you ponder, more you reflect, more you exchange views thereof, more meaning inscribe to your mind (hirday). It is not a chapter from educational book, of which we understand meaning and it is enough. Here the gurbani, more you reflect, more spiritual direction you get and God’s blessings are instrumental here, which depends on your sincerity and ego-less-ness. Even interpretations of scholars, sometimes, differ because of different perceptions. WAHEGURU’s blessings are required. It will shower upon you, once you surrender to HIM destroying your ego and depending on his grace. If two different interpretations reach you, donot be surprised. It is beauty of gurbani that every time, you recite same PAATH with devotion, you get new hidden meanings and new sense of bliss. So go on, go on, go on reciting same paath with devotion but
(a) BEFORE STARTING PAATH, pray –O waheguru, mere param pita jeeo –I depend on your grace. I surrender to you as I am aware that on my own, I donot possess capability to understand paath. Please inscribe it in my mind (hirdey). Believe me, there will be lot of difference in your perception.
(b) Though there is no rule, but just to impose self-discipline, it is better to fix a target for paath of a particular portion or any similar activity for 40 days. It brings regularity and self-discipline and ultimately, you get more self-confidence too.
(c) NOW LAST IMPORTANT POINT (My own MPORTANT experience)
One midnight, I was chatting with God, He made me understand this.
The point is to understand gurbani – number one prior ardas (prayer) is required, and number 2 an approach of student is required.
Now what is this approach? That is main idea for which I wanted to communicate with you. I am much benefited by same.
When we are student, we are taught a lesson by teacher – the teacher tells us to remember same by heart – we are asked to do homework – teacher makes us rewrite same – we are told to repeat same loudly in classroom – we are given test and what not. If there could be no tests, who could have bothered to understand as there could not be any necessity to reproduce same later on. WE WERE FORCED TO WRITE SAME IN OUR WORDS ON THE BASIS OF WHAT WE UNDERSTOOD. And it works.
While we read scriptures, we feel contented that we understand translation, so ENOUGH.
NO – BIG ‘NO’.
Please read a shabad (say hukam of day or any other portion) once- twice-thrice and close it and write the gist thereof in your words. This writing itself will constitute the difference as it is student’s approach. Donot bother for grammar. It is between you and God. Before starting, you have already taken HIM in confidence too. Then see HIS blessings.
And you know, my satguru wanted me to write question-answer-formed gist of sukhmani sahib jee. I asked, there had been many commentaries already written. I donot have academic background as I am useless in English. But my satguru guided me – “No, you write for me. You will read – I will listen. And I donot bother for your language”.
Lo I started studying sukhmani sahibjee keenly daily, writing gist, pasting in 19 questions. It took quite long time and in second round it was edited. And blogs were ready.
BUT BELIEVE ME, the bliss and grace I got, more time passed and I am a changed person and my satguru has changed direction of my life.
Conclusion: Paath with devotion is very good, but reflection and expression in own words is WONDERFUL. Please give importance to this aspect.
(3) This entire cosmic drama is created and is being monitored by HIM only. Sri Guru Granth Sahib explains logically this entire cosmic philosophy and provides guidance, support and direction to we people to get across this delusion created by maya. The way out is simran only. Japjee sahib is essence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and Sukhmani Sahib is explanation to Japjee sahib.
THE ABOVE IS MY PERCEPTION ONLY. If I am wrong somewhere, please point out, I will take in right spirit to rectify me (as hukam from HIM only). Bhul chuk maaf karna jee.
Please let me have your reactions.
Remaining in next email.
WAHEGURU RAKHA
