The Reason Why Mary Was Able To Be A Virgin Mother
When God created the universe, He promulgated two laws These two laws are always working.
1) The Law of Karma —
Almost all of humanity is under this Law. Here, “ As you sow, so shall you reap.” This could also be interpreted as Newton’s Third Law, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
2) The Law of Grace —
All the Prophets, their parents and truly Spiritual Masters are under this Law. There is no payback for their actions. Mary, full of Grace, was in The Law of Grace, which is why she was able to be a Virgin Mother.
The laws as we know do not apply to those who are in the Law of Grace.
“God’s power is spread everywhere. On whom the Lord showers His Grace, all difficulties leave that person.
No sins remain when God showers His Grace. When a person becomes His servant, God bestows everything to such a soul; He keeps nothing from such a soul.
The Name of God and desires for worldly things are on the opposite sides of the fence. Those whose desires are centred on the accumulation of worldly wealth and riches have no genuine love for God.
A servant cannot serve two masters — as is said in the Bible.
The nature of the human mind is to be in the clutches of the falsehood of the world. Overcome with greed, he is wandering aimlessly and focused on amassing worldly wealth. He does prayers, bathes at holy shrines and does service with formality rather than with love and sincerity. Nothing is achieved by doing this. Then he complains that there is nothing in religion and quotes Karl Marx who said,
“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people”.
Guru Sahib Ji says you will achieve something only if, with purity, truth and honesty, you fill your mind with the meditation of the Lord.”
The above is quoted from Guide To Spiritual Consciousness by Sant Scholar Giani Naranjan Singh Ji, Shiromani Kathakar
Definitions -
1) A truly Spiritual Master is one who is able to travel astrally. To be able to travel astrally, your 10th door has to be opened.
The human body has 10 openings. 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, 1 mouth, and the 2 excretory openings. The 10th door can only be opened by the grace of The Almighty.
Astral travel allows you to have an audience with the Almighty. There are always only a handful of people in this world who have managed to acquire this Grace.
2) All religions are the same. It is only our form of worship which is different.
3) Guru Sahib Ji refers to one of the 10 Gurus of the Sikh faith.
A Muslim lady asked Saint Scholar Giani Naranjan Singh Ji, Shiromani Kathakar, Guru Nanak Ashram, Patiala, India
“What is the difference between Islam and the Sikh religion?”
The Master replied, “There is no difference.”
The lady was astounded at this reply and asked, “ Master, how can you say this”
The Master replied, “My daughter, I say this, simply because the Truth is One. It is only our form of worship which is different.”
3) Whilst the forms of worship are different, the path to salvation is the same for all religions. Good moral behaviour and control of the mind.
All humans are afflicted by five weaknesses — Lust, Anger, Attachment, Greed and Ego. They who are in the Law of Grace are beyond these weaknesses.
This suffering in the world is the consequences of our actions, in our past lives and this present life. By our actions, we reward or punish ourselves. God does not punish us.
Mills of God
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The proverbial expression of the mills of God grinding slowly refers to the notion of slow but certain divine retribution.
Plutarch (1st century AD) alludes to the metaphor as a then-current adage in his Moralia (De sera numinis vindicta “On the Delay of Divine Vengeance”):
“Thus, I do not see what use there is in those mills of the gods said to grind so late as to render punishment hard to be recognized, and to make wickedness fearless.”[3]
Just as a parent is very distressed by a child going wayward, so is the Almighty extremely anguished by the actions of His creation.
Humans differ from animals in two ways -
i) We have the ability to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong.
ii) We have the ability to pray.
Our lives are interspersed between our actions or karmas of our past lives and creating good karmas for our next life. Humans are unable to distinguish between the two. Only a truly Spiritual Master will know whether our actions are from a past life or not.
From my personal experience
In the early ’80s, I was working in Kuala Lumpur. A Chinese lady joined the company. From the very first day, this lady was extremely protective of me.
If anyone criticized me or said anything negative, even in my presence, she would speak out, defending me. I was very perplexed by this strange affection.
I consulted my Spiritual Master. And what my master told me surprised me.
He told me that “ in Lord Buddha’s time, in China, she was your sister. She still has some of the sisterly affection for you. Once she overcomes this affection, she will go her own way.”
And that was what happened.
A truly Spiritual Master can be recognised by his wisdom. Sample this -
The following are sayings of Saint Scholar Giani Naranjan Singh Ji -
1) “Science has spread scepticism among educated people. The hope of establishing a heaven on earth by means of material progress has led many to ridicule the search for the spiritual path. But, the god of material progress demands worship at its shrines. We worship the swift-moving machinery of our skills, factories, and workshops- the temples of industry; we worship our office, our trade and commerce, banks and stock exchanges(the churches of high finance); we worship scholarship, our schools, and colleges.
And in the midst of all this worship, we have forgotten the worship of the Lord.”
Quoted from the book
*Divine Mystic Reflections on Gurmat* by Saint Scholar Naranjan Singh Ji
Gurmat (gur-mat) — counsel or tenets of the Guru, more specifically focusing the mind towards the Guru, meaning the Almighty.
2) Many years ago, someone asked the Spiritual Master, Saint Scholar Giani Naranjan Singh Ji, “All the chaos in this world, who is responsible for it?”
The Master replied, “2 classes of people who live by the principle of divide and rule. One is politicians and the other preachers.”
The Path Of Salvation
The Sikh religion does not advocate proselytising. If the Almighty, in His infinite wisdom has ordained that you be born in a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or any other religion, who are we to question His wisdom.
Whilst our form of worship is different, the path to salvation is the same for all religions, which is good moral behaviour and control of the mind.
The following is excerpted from the book, Guide To Spiritual Consciousness by Sant Scholar Giani Naranjan Singh Ji, Shiromani Kathakar.
The quotes are from the Sikh scriptures, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and are universal to all religions.
(The term Sikh has its origin in the word śiṣya (शिष्य), meaning ‘disciple’ or ‘student’.
Wikipedia
Here, we have taken the broad meaning of the word Sikh)
“Says Nanak, this is the path to liberation. Become a Gurmukh, and attain it.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 218)
Guru Nanak Sahib Ji is the founder of the Sikh religion.
Gurmukh means a person who follows the teaching and life-code as narrated by the Guru. In this context, Guru means God.
Manmukh literally means “to follow one’s mind or desires”. … A person who is self-centred is called a Manmukh.
A Manmukh is the opposite of a Gurmukh.
Wikipedia
In His Bani, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji tells us, in forceful words, that the aim of life is the meditation of Naam, through which the human soul can reach the heights of that peak from where even extreme difficulties are not able to weaken him. This is the state of salvation.
(Bani (Punjabi: ਬਾਣੀ), short for Gurbani (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ), is the term used by Sikhs to refer to various sections of the Holy Text that appears in their several Holy Books.
The word Gurbani consists of two roots — Guru and Bani. The word “Guru” means “spiritual teacher” and here refers to the ten Gurus of Sikhism, the other Bhagats and writers whose writings can be found in the holy Guru Granth. The word “Bani” refers to their utterances and writings. So the combined word “Gurbani” means the writings of the Gurus as found in the Sikh holy scriptures; the Gurus’ words; the Gurus’ teachings.
Naam means, Name/identity, God Consciousness, Divine Presence, Sacred Vibration/Connection between the Creator and the creation, to merge with through knowledge.)
(SikhiWiki Free Sikh Encyclopedia)
When Guru Sahib Ji looks at our actions, deeds and way of living He says :
“O Holy people, this world is deluded by doubt.
It has forsaken the meditative remembrance of the Lord’s Name and sold itself out to Maya.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 684)
Maya (ਮਾਇਆ): Literally “delusion”. Also money,
wealth, illusion, transitory.
Sikh theology explains that everything in this world is an illusion and that the only true reality is Waheguru. A person affected by Maya is described, in the Sikh Scriptures, as suffering from the delusion of believing that those things which are fleeting and impermanent are worth pursuing and permanent. A person attached to Maya cannot escape the cycle of life, death, and rebirth; to release oneself from continuous reincarnation is one of the prime goals of every Sikh. A Sikh strives to avoid rebirth through living a meritorious life of honest work, service to others, and remembrance of God’s name; away from addiction to Maya and this transient material world.
Waheguru — Wonderful Guru, The wonderful God
- Waheguru (Punjabi: ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ) is the Gurmantra or primary Mantra; it is the reference to the Almighty God; the Creator; the Supreme Soul; the Sustainer; etc. The word ‘Waheguru’ literally means the “Wonderful Lord” in the Gurmukhi language. God has many names in Sikhism and Waheguru is probably the most important and the most common.
(SikhiWiki free Sikh encyclopedia)
What is this doubt that everyone has got lost in?
In the viewpoint of Dharma, doubt means fake knowledge i.e. the reality is one thing but we believe it to be something else.
( Dharma means duty. In Indian languages, the word religion does not exist.
What the West refers to as religion, in India, it is called Dharma.)
Blessed and praiseworthy is he who is not a prey to doubt.
Guru Maharaj Ji says that our outlook changes and the doubt of this world vanish if, while living in it and doing all our worldly duties, we also remember (deep within ourselves) the Omnipresent Creator.
If we do His Simran, He becomes visible to us as He is the Truth and the Ultimate Reality.
( Simran means meditation. There are two types of meditation -
One is mindfulness meditation.
The other is a meditation to reach higher consciousness. In this meditation, a mantra is recited.
For those who want to engage in meditation to reach higher consciousness, choose only ONE of the following mantras.
To change ourselves and to aspire towards higher consciousness, Sant Mahinder Partap Singh Ji of Guru Nanak Ashram, Patiala, India gave this advice.
In the morning, when we open our eyes, before getting out of bed, repeat 5 times, only one of the following Mantras -
All praise to the Lord. ( Christians)
Hallelujah. (Jews )
Jai Shri Krishna. (Hindus)
Allah o Akbar. (Muslims)
Jai Shri Mahaveer. (Jains)
Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. (Sikhs)
All praise to the Almighty. (For those who believe in the existence of The Unseen Force, but do not follow a religion.)
(The most elementary definition of Spiritualism — doing the same thing, at the same time, every day.)
The above mantras become your Guru or guide as you find your way on the spiritual path.
When you are ripe and ready, the next mantra will be revealed to you. This revelation can be by reading a book, hearing a sermon or some other way. God works very mysteriously which most people are aware of and understand.
( The Sikh religion teaches — We cleanse our body by washing with soap and water. We cleanse our clothes by washing with soap and water. However, the mind can only be cleansed by prayer.)
It must be stressed that repeating one of the above mantras five times does not mean that we do not say our prayers. It is important to follow religious teachings, going to a place of worship, and joining in religious congregations.
However, it is better to at least recite the mantra than not do anything at all.
“O Holy Saints, know that this body is false.
The Lord who dwells within it — recognise that He alone is real.
The wealth of this world is only a dream; why are you so proud of it?
None of it shall go along with you in the end; why do you cling to it?
Leave behind both praise and slander; enshrine the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises within your heart.
O servant Nanak, the One Primal Being, the Lord God, is totally permeating everywhere.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1186)
(Kirtan — singing of hymns)
Guru Sahib Ji says that three things are eternal. One is the Lord Creator, the other is the Power of Naam and third is a Sadh (that person who becomes One with the Lord through Gurmat).
“The Naam remains; the Holy Saints remain; the Guru, the Lord of the Universe, remains.
Says Nanak, in this world — how rare are those who chant the Guru’s Mantra.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1429)
(Naam means, Name/identity, God Consciousness, Divine Presence, Sacred Vibration/Connection between the Creator and the creation, to merge with through knowledge.)
If a human does not become a Sadh (he has not adopted the ideal of purifying and disciplining his mind), then it is meaningless for him to take baths at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, keep fasts, adore his body with religious symbols and other religious rituals.
“He bathes at sacred shrines of pilgrimage and adheres to fasts, but he has no control over his mind.
Know that such religion is useless to him. I speak the Truth for his sake.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 831)
The aim of life is to bring the mind under control. This is the difference between a human and an animal. A human can keep watch over his mind and can take control over it. An animal cannot do this. A person who does not set a high goal with his life and who wastes his life in hypocrisy is like an animal.
“Abandoning Truth, you cling to falsehood; your life is uselessly wasting away.
Practising hypocrisy, you fill your belly, and then sleep like an animal.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 633)
Anyway, what can the poor human do? The purification of the mind is a faraway achievement, the human being does not even know why his mind is uncontrollable. Guru Maharaj Ji tells us that the human being is helpless and unable to control his mind because of the dwelling of desires in his mind.
Trishna means greed i.e. the burning desire to obtain worldly commodities. This Trishna is the noose that is hanging around the human’s mind. Mukti or salvation is when this noose is cut off.
Guru Maharaj Ji says that Mukti or salvation is a state which is to be achieved while a person is still alive. Mukti or salvation is not a commodity of credit that is to be cashed in the next world.
Mukti is stabilisation and stillness of our mental thoughts at some high level. It is that high level where worldly turbulences (friendship/enmity, profit/loss, joy/sorrow, etc) cannot create a flurry and waver our mental thoughts.
“One who is beyond praise and slander, who looks upon gold and iron alike
- says Nanak, listen, mind: know that such a person is liberated.
One who is not affected by pleasure or pain, who looks upon friend and enemy alike
- says Nanak, listen, mind: know that such a person is liberated.
That mortal, who forsakes egotism, and realizes the Creator Lord
- says Nanak, that person is liberated; O mind, know this as true.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1427)
“They are not bound by pleasure and pain — know that they are truly wise.
O Nanak, recognise those mortal beings as liberated,
who live this way of life.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 220)
Every human wants Mukti (freedom from bondage) and the relationship of this Mukti or freedom is with the mind. But the mind is absorbed in different pursuits. Then, how is freedom or Mukti to be achieved? What are the pursuits that the mind is absorbed in? Guru Maharaj Ji tells us :
“Who should I tell the condition of the mind?
Engrossed in greed, running around in the ten directions, you hold to your hopes of wealth.
For the sake of pleasure, you suffer such great pain, and you have to serve each and every person.
You wander from door to door like a dog, unconscious of the Lord’s meditation.
You lose this human life in vain, and You are not even ashamed when others laugh at you.
O Nanak, why not sing the Lord’s Praises, so that you may be rid of the body’s evil disposition?”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 411)
“This mind does not follow my advice one tiny bit.
I am so tired of giving it instructions — it will not refrain from its evil-mindedness.
It has gone insane with the intoxication of Maya; it does not chant the Lord’s Praise.
Practising deception, it tries to cheat the world, and so it fills its belly.
Like a dog’s tail, it cannot be straightened; it will not listen to what I tell it.
Says Nanak, vibrate forever the Name of the Lord, and all your affairs shall be adjusted.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 536)
“O, mother, my mind is out of control.
Night and day, it runs after sin and corruption. How can I restrain it?
He listens to the teachings of the Vedas, Puranas and the Simritees, but he does not enshrine them in his heart, even for an instant.
Engrossed in the wealth and women of others, his life passes away uselessly.
He has gone insane with the wine of Maya and does not understand even a bit of spiritual wisdom.
Deep within his heart, the Immaculate Lord dwells, but he does not know this secret.
When I came to the Sanctuary of the Holy Saints, all my evil-mindedness was dispelled.
O Nanak, I remembered the Chintaamani(jewel which fulfils all desires)
and the noose of Death was snapped.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 632)
The nature of the human mind is to be in the clutches of the falsehood of the world. Overcome with greed, he is wandering aimlessly and focused on amassing worldly wealth. He does prayers, bathes at holy shrines and does sewa (service) with formality rather than with love and sincerity. Nothing is achieved by doing this. Then he complains that there is nothing in religion and quotes Karl Marx who said:
"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people".
Guru Sahib Ji says you will achieve something only if, with purity, truth and honesty, you fill your mind with the meditation of the Lord.
“That person, who meditates in remembrance on the Lord in his heart, is liberated - know this well.
There is no difference between that person and the Lord: O Nanak, accept this as the Truth.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1428)
“O Nanak, know that those whose hearts are filled with the Lord are liberated.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 220)
In this Age, Mukti or salvation is an entitlement only for those who do meditation to achieve higher consciousness and not by any other method. Anyone who has understood this secret and implemented it, he becomes loaded with spiritual riches.
“Our Lord and Master is the source of pleasures and liberation; and yet, the fool forgets Him.
O servant Nanak, there is only an odd one among millions, who attains the Lord’s meditation.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 218)
“ Which actions, what sort of knowledge, and what religion - what Dharma should one practice?
What Name of the Guru should one remember in meditation, to cross over the terrifying world-ocean?
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the One Lord is the treasure of mercy; chanting it, one obtains salvation.
No other Dharma is comparable to this; so speak the Vedas.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 632)
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, liberation comes from the Naam. Guru Sahib Ji has revealed this secret.
“Says Nanak, he alone is a great man, who sings the praises of God.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 831)
“The Vedas and the Puranas sing His Praises; enshrine His Name within your heart.
Pure and sublime is the Name of the Lord in the world. Remembering it in meditation, all sinful mistakes shall be washed away.
You shall not obtain this human body again; make the effort - try to achieve liberation!
Says Nanak, sing of the Lord of compassion,
and cross over the terrifying world-ocean.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 220)
Vedas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vedas (/ˈveɪdəz, ˈviː-/;[4] Sanskrit: वेदः vedaḥ, "knowledge") are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts
constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.[5][6]
Puranas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The word Purana (/pʊˈrɑːnəz/; Sanskrit: पुराण, purāṇa) literally means "ancient, old",[1] and it is a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly legends and other traditional lore.[2] The Puranas are known for the intricate layers of symbolism depicted within their stories. Composed primarily in Sanskrit, but also in Tamil and other Indian languages,[3][4] several of these texts are named after major Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and Shakti.[5][6] The Puranic genre of literature is found in both Hinduism and Jainism.[3]
“You have wasted the precious jewel of this human life; you do not know the Way of the Lord of the Universe.
You have not been absorbed in the Lord’s Feet, even for an instant. Your life has passed away in vain!”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 220)
“The Jewel of the Lord is deep within my heart, but I do not have any knowledge of Him.
O servant Nanak, without vibrating, meditating on the Lord God, human life is uselessly wasted and lost.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 703)
“I have been trying to liberate myself, running around in the ten directions.
The pure, immaculate Lord abides deep within my heart, but I do not understand the secret of His mystery.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 703)
“As Guru Sahib Ji has imparted the Teachings, so listen to them, O Siblings of Destiny.
Nanak proclaims:
hold tight to the Protection and the Sanctuary of God.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 727)
The above examples make the principles of Guru Sahib Ji very clear that :
1. The human body is a priceless gift. There is no guarantee that it will be obtained again in another birth.
2. Human birth is an opportunity through which the essence of Naam can be achieved. Other species do not get this opportunity. Achieving the essence of Naam is achieving the ultimate state of salvation.
3. Mukti is that stage where worldly entanglements and the forceful slap of sorrow/joy, profit/loss do not attack. This state is achieved through meditation on the Lord.
4. Meditation on the Lord consists of Har Jap, Har Jas and Har Simran. But this meditation is only successful if it is done by rising above the pitfalls of pride and attachment. Otherwise, there is the danger of slipping.
“ One who lays aside both pride and attachment sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe.
Says Nanak, the mortal who does this
is said to be ‘jivanmukta’ — liberated while yet alive.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 831)
”Abandon egotism, and grasp the Sanctuary of the Saints; you shall be liberated in an instant.
O servant Nanak, without meditating and vibrating on the Lord God, there is no peace, even in dreams.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1231)
To embrace Guru Maharaj Ji’s Path of Salvation, it is not conditional that a person must be without sin from the time of birth. This Path gives equal opportunity to the sinner as well as to the virtuous. In fact, it is even possible that the realisation of his sins may make a sinner humble and thus achieve the Path of Salvation quickly. On the other hand, a person of good virtues may remain entrapped in his ego and thus remain deprived of Salvation.
“I am a great sinner, foolish and greedy; but now, at last, I have grown weary of committing sins.
I cannot forget the fear of dying; this anxiety is consuming my body.
I have been trying to liberate myself, running around in the ten directions.
The pure, immaculate Lord abides deep within my heart, but I do not understand the secret of His mystery.
I have no merit, and I know nothing about meditation or austerities; what should I do now?
O Nanak, I am exhausted; I seek the shelter of Your Sanctuary; O God, please bless me with the gift of fearlessness.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 703)
“Join the Sadh Sangat and meditate in remembrance on the Lord;
even a sinner like yourself will become pure.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 631)
Sadh Sangat — Congregation of worshippers
“At the very last moment on his deathbed, Ajaamal became aware of the Lord;
that state which even the supreme Yogis desire — he attained that state in an instant.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 902)
Ajaamal, known throughout the world as a sinner, was redeemed in an instant.
“Says Nanak, remember the Chintaamani (jewel which fulfils all desires), and you too shall be carried across and saved.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 632)
“He is the Purifier of sinners, the Friend of the poor. Come, and enter the Lord’s Sanctuary.
Remembering Him, the elephant’s fear was removed; so why do you forget Him?”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 218)
“Understand this today — it is not yet too late!
Chant and vibrate the Name of the Lord.
Says Nanak, this is the subtle wisdom of the Holy Saints, which I proclaim out loud to you.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 633)
The truth is that nobody can claim to be perfectly virtuous, no matter how much he boasts of his virtues. Thus it is only appropriate that he acknowledges the attitude as in the following Shabad :
“I am a great sinner, foolish and greedy; but now, at last, I have grown weary of committing sins.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 703)
Shabad — a verse from the Sikh Scriptures — Guru Granth Sahib Ji
One should then go whole-heartedly into Har Jap, Har Jas and Har Simran.
HAR JAP
Jap means: to say in the mind, repeatedly. The Holy Scriptures have acknowledged three main ways of Jap:
1. First way is speaking/reading that is done in specific words. By hearing and reading, one is able to understand the meaning. Recitation of Gurmantar and the Paath of Bani comes in this category.
2. The second way is worship that is done in a very soft sound in the mouth. Nothing can be heard; only lip movement can be seen.
3. The third way is to do mentally i.e. in the thoughts of the mind.
Which method of Jap should we implement? For this, each person has to judge according to his own spiritual stage.
The purpose of Jap is to implant the image of God in the deep recesses of the mind. Unfortunately, the mind is always lost in fanciful imaginations. That is why saintly persons teach that the method is to divert the mind from these fanciful imaginations and attach it to GurShabad.
The goal of Jap is to make both the tongue and mind in unison. By doing this, the image of the worshipped(God) sits in the depth of the heart of the worshipper.
Gurmantar — Vaheguru (Punjabi: ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ, romanized: vāhigurū) is a word used in Sikhism to refer to God. It is also often uttered as a mantra and is called gurmantra or gurmantar means the word of the divine which takes you from darkness to the lightness creating your mind to expand.
Paath — To recite the Scriptures
HAR JAS (or KIRTAN)
(Kirtan — Singing of hymns)
Kirtan is also a support to steady the mind, to make it one-pointed. Kirtan is a method, not a destination. The aim or destination is:
“Now that you have obtained this human body,
meditate on the Lord’s Feet;
Nanak advises with this advice.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 632)
This is what we have forgotten. God is within us but we are engrossed with the outside world. Kirtan is a means to return our focus within. Through the ears and eyes, our superthought is attached outside and is dispersed. Kirtan consolidates these dispersed thoughts. The Gurbani that is sung in Kirtan pushes the superthought inwards. The musical instruments, Raag and sitting together aids in Kirtan. Kirtan attaches our mind to the meanings of Gurbani and brings us into Ardaas mode. By doing this, the impurity of the mind is removed.
(Raag is a melody. In Gurbani, the verses in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji are all in Raag.
Ardass means supplication))
“Chanting His Glories, your filth shall be washed off.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 289)
“O Nanak, why not sing the Lord’s Praises, so that you may be rid of the body’s evil disposition?”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 411)
Gurmat teaches us that our aim is not to become a ragi but to become a Kirtani. To sing, to listen and to love the Creator and His Creation — these are the attributes of Kirtan. By steadfastly adopting these attributes, the mental thoughts internalise and become still.
To be an introvert, to be without grievances and to connect one’s feelings with God is to walk on the path of salvation.
Ragi — A professional singer of hymns
Kirtani — An individual singing hymns.
“The foolish mind has not yet reformed itself, although I have grown weary of continually instructing it.
O Nanak, one crosses over the terrifying world-ocean, singing the Songs of God.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 536)
HAR SIMRAN
Jap, Kirtan and Simran complement each other. These are the three attributes of meditation, just like the three sections of a finger. The stabilisation of the thoughts in the remembrance of the Lord is called Simran.
Why has God been forgotten? Because humans have called their own, those commodities and values which are false and not real. These false commodities and values have trapped the human in them and thus the Lord is forgotten.
“Mortal beings are held in the power of sexual desire, anger and emotional attachment; they have forgotten the Lord, the Immortal Form.
The body is false, but they believe it to be true; it is like a dream in the night.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 218)
“The Praise of the Lord does not come to dwell in the minds of mortal beings.
Day and night, they remain engrossed in Maya. Tell me, how can they sing God’s Glories?
To children, friends, Maya and possessiveness — they bind themselves in the ways described earlier.
Like the deer’s delusion, this world is false; and yet, beholding it, they chase after it.
Our Lord and Master is the source of pleasures and liberation; and yet, the fool forgets Him.
O servant Nanak, there is only one among millions
who attains the Lord’s meditation.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 218)
Simran is a method to free the human from these false commodities and values. Simran means: to remember. Remembrance is going on even now. However, the remembrance going on now is ”day and night, we remain engrossed in Maya”.
“Day and night, we remain engrossed in Maya.
Tell me, how can we sing God’s Glories?”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 218)
The Simran of the Lord converts this chain of remembrance. The more the chain of remembrance gets converted, the more one progresses towards the path of salvation. The sign of progress is that one begins to feel a certain pleasant sensation, a bloom, a lightness. Gurbani starts to give its secret meanings. Complex mysteries begin to unravel.
Remembrance and forgetting go hand in hand. The summit of remembrance is to forget everything else from the mind except the One Lord.
( The Lord here refers to the Almighty)
“Let me forget everything, but let me not forget the One Lord.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 43)
This stage comes after a long journey. In reality, humans have the capability to reach up to this stage only. For blessings, grace and support beyond this stage, one can only make a supplication. Actually, meditation itself starts with humbleness but upon reaching this stage, only supplication and meekness remains.
“O Nanak, I have no virtues at all; keep me in Your Sanctuary, Lord.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 632)
“Says Nanak, please, Lord, uphold the honour of Your innate nature; I chant Your Name.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 633)
“Says Nanak, O Lord, please, confirm your innate nature; this mortal is continually making mistakes.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 633)
“O Nanak, I am exhausted; I seek the shelter of Your Sanctuary; O God, please bless me with the gift of fearlessness.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 703)
“Nanak has entered the Sanctuary of the One,
before whom the whole world bows down;
please, preserve and protect me, by Your innate nature.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 703)
“That man, who sings the Praise of the Lord, the treasure of mercy, has the help and support of the Lord.
Says Nanak, I have come to rely on this.
I seek the Sanctuary of the Lord.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1008)
When a person is spiritually stabilised in one-pointed Simran and goes into supplication as part of life, then Grace and Blessings shower and occasionally, the Divine Light flashes within that person. This is the way of self-realisation through which doubts and misunderstandings disappear from our vision.
Until self-realisation is not achieved, doubts do not disappear and one does not reach the path of salvation.
“O servant Nanak, without knowing one’s own self, the moss of doubt is not removed.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 684)
A person who reaches this stage achieves the state of salvation. This ideal stage is where profit/loss, sadness/ happiness, joy/sorrow, lust/anger, hopes/desires etc are not able to waver a person. The life of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji is a perfect example of this.
Guru Sahib Ji refers to this stage in His Bani as follows :
“That man, who in the midst of pain, does not feel pain,
who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear, and who looks alike upon gold and dust;
Who is not swayed by either slander or praise nor affected by greed, attachment or pride;
who remains unaffected by joy and sorrow, who remains unaffected by honour and dishonour,
who renounces all hopes and desires and remains desireless in the world;
One not touched by sexual desire or anger- God dwells within his heart
That man, blessed by Guru’s Grace, understands this way.
O Nanak, he merges with the Lord, like water mixes with water.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 633)
It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to achieve this stage. Only rare ones achieve this state. ( Only those who reach this stage have the ability to travel astrally.)
The mind which is called incorrigible and leads everyone in whirls is stilled here. The mind is as restless as the wind and as sturdy and strong as the elephant that is uncontrollable.
But the mind of those who reach this stage becomes completely carefree. Naam dwells in the mind that goes into total stability and because of Naam, the mind goes into a state of rest.
Guru Sahib Ji says:
“O mother, I have gathered the wealth of the Lord’s Name.
Attachment to Maya has run away from my body, and immaculate spiritual wisdom has welled up within me.
Greed and attachment cannot even touch me; I have grasped hold of devotional worship of the Lord.
The cynicism of countless lifetimes has been eradicated since I obtained the jewel of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
My mind was rid of all its desires, and I was absorbed in the peace of my own inner being.
That person, unto whom the Merciful Lord shows compassion, sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe.
Says Nanak, this wealth is gathered only by the Gurmukh.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1186)
Only a rare individual achieves this amazing and wonder-filled state. There is no end to his glory. What does he become? He himself knows the answer to this question. Yes, one thing that is visible is that :
“Those humble beings who recognise God are the givers of all things.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 286)
“The True Guru is the Word, and the Word is the True Guru, who teaches the Path of Liberation.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1309)
“This Holy Book is the home of the Transcendent Lord God.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1226)
The actual and true worship of Guru Maharaj Ji is to instil His Bani within ourselves and to follow His Orders. For a successful life and for the fulfilment of all wishes, Guru Maharaj Ji repeatedly instructs us to do Simran as this is the only commodity that will be useful to us, both here and in the afterworld.
Guru Maharaj Ji refers to God.
“Meditate in remembrance on the Lord — meditate on the Lord; this alone shall be of use to you.
Abandon your association with Maya, and take shelter in the Sanctuary of God.
Remember that the pleasures of the world are false; this whole show is just an illusion.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1352)
“Meditate on the Lord — vibrate on the Lord; your life is slipping away.
Why am I saying this repeatedly? O fool-why don’t you understand?
Your body is like a hail-stone; it melts away in no time at all.
So give up all your doubts, and utter the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
At the very last moment, this alone shall go along with you.
Forget the poisonous sins of corruption, and enshrine the Praises of God in your heart.
Servant Nanak proclaims that this opportunity is slipping away.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1352)
“If you do not sing the Praises of the Lord, your life is rendered useless.
Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; immerse your mind in Him, like the fish in the water.
Why are you engrossed in sin and corruption?
You are not detached, even for a moment!
Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord, and you shall not be caught in the noose of death.
Your youth has passed away like this, and old age has overtaken your body.
Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; your life is fleeting away!
You have become old, and you do not understand that death is overtaking you.
Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you not remember and meditate on God?
He has given you your body, wealth, property, peace and beautiful mansions.
Says Nanak, listen, mind: why don’t you remember the Lord in meditation?
The Lord is the Giver of all peace and comfort. There is no other at all.
Says Nanak, listen, mind: meditating on Him, salvation is attained.
Remembering Him in meditation, salvation is attained; vibrate and meditate on Him, O my friend.
Says Nanak, listen, mind: your life is passing away!
The Dear Lord abides in each and every heart; the Saints proclaim this as true.
Says Nanak, meditate and vibrate upon Him, and you shall cross over the terrifying world-ocean.
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the Lord is the Destroyer of fear, the Eradicator of evil-mindedness.
Night and day, O Nanak, whoever vibrates and meditates on the Lord’s Name, sees all of his works brought to fruition.
Vibrate with your tongue the Glorious Praises of the Lord; with your ears, hear the Lord’s Name.
Says Nanak, listen, man: you shall not have to go to the house of Death.
If you yearn for eternal peace, then seek the Sanctuary of the Lord.
Says Nanak, listen, mind: this human body is difficult to obtain.
For the sake of Maya, the fools and ignorant people run all around.
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, life passes away uselessly.
That mortal who meditates and vibrates upon the Lord night and day — know him to be the embodiment of the Lord.
There is no difference between the Lord and the humble servant of the Lord; O Nanak, know this as true.
The mortal is entangled in Maya; he has forgotten the Name of the Lord of the Universe.
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, what is the use of this human life?
The mortal does not think of the Lord; he is blinded by the wine of Maya.
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, he is caught in the noose of Death.
In good times, there are many companions around, but in bad times, there is no one at all.
Says Nanak, vibrate, and meditate on the Lord; He shall be your only Help and Support in the end.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 1426)
