Naam Simran

Last Saturday I attended the Akhand Jaap (continuous Waheguru simran) programme at Seven King's Gurdwara in Ilford. It took a while to get there on the train but it was a Chardi kalaa programme where Sangat could take benefit of Naam Simran. Here's some photos (more photos on www.SikhiMedia.net):

Today I came across a video of Kathaa (Gurbani discourse) by Bhai Paramjeet Singh jee Khalsa discussing Gurmat & Naam. The video is in easy and understandable Panjabi, so for those who understand Panjabi it's worthful to watch the video:



Sometimes people question, "What is the use of repeating Waheguru?" and others will say, "Is it not enough to be good person? Why should I do Naam Simran?"

‘Naam’ refers to the ‘Divine-Name’ revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib jee. Naam is also the ‘Divine Presence’ or 'Divine Energy' everywhere, supporting all things at all times – in today’s language we could say the energy structure or power of the whole Universe. Essentially it is the presence of Waheguru that is supporting absolutely everything.

ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਗਲੇ ਜੰਤ ॥

Nām kė dhārė saglė janṯ.
The Naam is the Support of all creatures.

ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥

Nām kė dhārė kẖand brahmand.
The Naam is the Support of the earth and solar systems.
(Ang 284)

Naam is within everyone but is concealed and not visible:

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Anṯar nām niḏẖān hai pūrai saṯgur ḏīā ḏikẖāī. ||1|| rahāo.||
The treasure of Naam is within; the Perfect True Guru has shown this to me. ||1||Pause||
(Ang 425)

During an Amrit Sanchaar, Naam manifested in the Divine-Name (Gur Mantar) is given by the Guru (in the form of the Panj Pyaare) to the seeker. The Guru-Roop Panj Pyaare awaken or reveal the Naam within the seeker that leads to the beginning of the Spiritual Journey of Gurmat:

ਦਸਵੈ ਦੁਆਰਿ ਕੁੰਚੀ ਜਬ ਦੀਜੈ ॥

Ḏasvai ḏuār kuncẖī jab ḏījai.
When the key is inserted in the Tenth Gate (Dasam Duaar),

ਤਉ ਦਇਆਲ ਕੋ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੨੪॥

Ŧao ḏaiāl ko ḏarsan kījai. ||24||
then the Blessed Vision of the Merciful Lord's Darshan is seen. ||24||
(Ang 341)

When we take Amrit we are told to refrain from four things (i.e. the Bajjar Kurehits). If an individual commits any of the four acts then Naam returns back to its invisible or concealed state.

Naam is something to ‘Jap’ (chant), reflect and contemplate through which Naam becomes woven in the heart of the devotee, and Waheguru becomes imprinted on the heart of the devotee. The Lord and His Name are identical. They are one. ‘Naam Japnaa’ (lovingly living and meditating on Naam) is the only way to attain unity with God. Guru Nanak Sahib jee established God’s golden rules for leading a pure and pious life. He preached the concepts by practically enforcing them in his life first.

A Sikh is required to lead a virtuous, pure and pious life. Always remembering and repeating the Divine-Name with full concentration, breath by breath, can attain this virtue. Naam will awaken the consciousness, and create love and affection for all those who are created by God. It is strongly believed that a pious person would be compassionate and contended. He will aspire to serve the needy. He will have no enmity with anyone, as he knows that God lives in every human being. To serve His Creation is to serve God and remember Him day and night. The individual can merge with God by loving Him, living in Him, by dying in Him, and singing his Divine Praises.

May Waheguru do kirpaa on us all.