Train Meeting... (Part 2)

Continued....

I explained to the lady that a Sikh is to wake up daily in the early morning of the hours before sunrise so that you one sacrifices their sleep in order to remember and pray to God. I said, "A Sikh prays in the morning and does meditation on God's Name and then prays in the evening and before going to sleep." The lady replied, "Dear, one should pray to God all day and at all times." I smiled and said, "I agree with you. When I meant praying. We have set prayers for morning, evening and night but the Guru wants us to remember God at all times." She got happy and smiled.

The lady then said, "Be careful. When I pray my mind wanders all over the place. When you pray remember to keep your mind present in the prayer because if you pray and your mind is not there then it is not really prayer." I was amazed at the vichaar; it was like I was talking to someone about Gurmat. I shared the Saakhi (story) about Guru Nanak Dev Jee disappearing in the Vein River for 3 days and coming back out and Guru Jee proclaiming "There is no Hindu nor Muslim." I went on to explain that the Muslims said that if you see God in all then pray with us and Guru Jee went to Mosque but did not postrate (bow down). The Muslim priest and ruler told Guru Jee that he didn't pray with them but Guru Jee replied that he was praying but their mind was not in the prayer.

I shared a few more stories and then the lady said, "Please write the name of your Guru so that I can remember when I go home." She got a pen out of her bag and said, "Spell it for me." I spelt it for her and then she said "Can you say your Guru's name again." I said "Guru Nanak". She slowly repeated "Gu-roo Naa-nak... Guroo Naa-nak... Guru Nanak!" It was as if she was getting a sweet taste from repeating Guru Jee's name. I said, "Yes, that is the correct pronunciation."

My stop came and I had to leave the train. The lady said, "Can I shake your hand please." So I shook the hand of the elderly lady. She said, "You have not asked me my name." I smiled and said, "What is your name?" She replied, "My name is Grace... my surname is Way. My full name is Grace Way." I said, "You have a very appropriate name" (in my mind I kept thinking "Gur-Prasaad.").


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

= Happy Gurpurb to everyone =