Difficulties with Naam

Bhaji Mandeep Singh Scotland wale requested Daas to write about what was discussed at the Midlands Sikhi Week talk "WHAT IS NAAM" by the group who looked at "DIFFICULTIES WITH NAAM." Apologies for the late post.

The group presented the problems with attuning and Japping Naam alongside with the solutions (Daas will elaborate and add to some of the solutions):

1. Distractions in day to day life (education, job etc)
Try and focus. Keep at it and continue doing Ardaas. With Guru's Kirpaa, Guru Sahib will guide you and help your mind. When one receives Gurmat Naam and Amrit from the Guru-Roop Panj Piyaare, it is a spiritual rebirth. Naam is made firm within us and we receive the blessings of Naam from the Panj Piyaare (known as Naam DriR). Through Amrit and Naam given by Panj Piyarae it becomes easier to focus on Naam and meditate, however this requires willingness and effort on behalf of the individual. Daily Ardaas for focus and power to concentrate on Naam will give you strength and will power to strive.

2. Lack of time or not being able to make time.
Simple answer - make time. Anything worth having requires time and dedication. Building a routine and daily plan is best help. When we receive Amrit from the Guru-Roop Panj Piyaare they give us Rehit (code of conduct) which helps us to make Naam and Baani a part of our life and a part of our routine. For example a Gursikh does daily Nitnem in morning, evening and before going to sleep.

3. Family
Educate and work with others. Do Ardaas, live the change you wish to see in your family. With Guru's Kirpaa if you try to Jap Naam the atmosphere in the house will change. Be inspired and inspire those around you through doing Sangat together and slowly introducing small but significant changes like praying before eating, doing Rehraas Sahib da Paath together, putting on a Keertan CD in the car rather than other songs or radio, ask "Shall we all go to the Gurdwara together."

4. Disadvantages of the society we live in and the Western influence
Live in society but be aware of possible negative influences and then stay clear of them. Don't get so involved with people, objects, or media that the negative influence sticks to you. Rather keep that level of relationship with society whereby you can live, work and inspire others with Gurmat. Guru Sahib teaches us this concept through the beauty of a lotus flower which is so beautiful yet floats above the muddy water unaffected in the environment it lives and sustains itself from. One's Rehit (Code of Conduct) and Sangat (company) acts as protection against negative influences.

5. Friends - peer pressure
Do Sangat of Gursikhs. Sometimes a person may live where there is no good Sangat. So what should they do? One can do Sangat (company) with Great Gursikhs through reading their life stories, autobiographies and Gurmat literature for example Bhai Sahib Rama Singh jee's book - "In Search of the True Guru", Baba Harnam Singh jee's book - "Se Kineya", Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh jee's autobiography etc. Another form of Sangat is listening to Katha and Keertan, even if it means listening to MP3s or through Internet.

6. Lack of positive role models
Make the Guru and Saadh Sangat your role model. We are blessed as Sikhs that our Guru Sahibs are the Perfect role models and examples of character, spirit and inspiration. All Gursikhs who follow the Path of the Guru and exemplify the Guru’s teachings are positive role models.