1Anonymous1

53 minutes ago, ipledgeblue said:

but they haven't been fighting longer than the shastardhari Singhs from Budha Dal and Tarna Dal, who do jhatka and shikaar as part of their normal puraatan rehit. I few months ago somebody posted a youtube video of goat briyani langar at Takht Sri Hajoor Sahib for the sangat jee. I have doubts about Babbar Khalsa reading Kabyo Baach Chaupai properly and I think they probably stumble at "Kripa Kari hum par jagmata" before even reaching Arril... vegetarianism will not save a sikh from not reading Chaupai Sahib properly!

This is the most ignorant statement I have read on this forum lmao

 

Fateh ji

Abhyaas has four main stages ji:

1. Baikhri (mouth): this is the beginning stage. jaap is done with mouth open using our tongue. Basically chanting like we talk normally. Abhiyaas starts off loud as the mind is not used to bhagti so is constantly running, hence we do simian loudly so it's easier to concentrate at this stage.

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜਪੁ ਰਸਨਾ ॥
Meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har - chant it with your tongue.

2. Madham (throat): As the mind is becoming accustomed to listening to the shabad, we can now lower our voice to whispering jaap. as our mouth is open but we are using our breaths, this jaap occurs at the throat. If the mind starts to run go back to stage 1, then slowly turn it to whispering again. 

3. pasanti (hirdha): the most important stage to reach as a gursikh. jaap turns to simran. now our mind begins to chant. there is no need to open our mouth or make any noise, all the sound is internalised. in this stage simran is matched with our breathing:

ਸਾਸ ਸਾਸ ਸਾਸ ਹੈ ਜੇਤੇ ਮੈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮੑਾਰੇ ॥
With as many breaths as I have, I chant the Naam, under Guru's Instructions.

ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food - that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind.

24/7 simran occurs at this stage. we are constantly breathing, we breath when we talk, sleep go to work etc. guru sahib has given an instruction to gursikh many times for our simran to be going 24/7: 

ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੇਇ ॥
Twenty-four hours a day, he takes the Name of the Lord.

ਊਠਤ ਬੈਠਤ ਸੋਵਤ ਜਾਗਤ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਸਗਲ ਅਵਰਦਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥
While standing and sitting, while sleeping and while awake, meditate on the Lord, all your life. ||1||

ਊਠਤ ਬੈਠਤ ਸੋਵਤ ਜਾਗਤ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Sitting down, standing up, sleeping and waking, forever and ever, meditate on the Lord. ||1||Pause||

As our simran is now internalised and matched with breathing, we can do simran all the time. Whatever we do throughout the day, that is what we dream in the night. if we are constantly chanting with out breaths throughout the day it will occur when we are sleeping as well. when our eyes open at amritvela, if simran Is going on inside that means mind ws chanting while asleep. This is why matching simran with our breaths (swass swass or swaas graas) is so important. it's the technique guru sahib has given. when every breath is connected to Abhiyaas, guru sahib has himself called that gursikh a sant: 

ਜਿਨਾ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾਂ ਮਨਿ ਮੰਤੁ ॥
Those who do not forget the Lord, with each breath and morsel of food, whose minds are filled with the Mantra of the Lord's Name

ਧੰਨੁ ਸਿ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤੁ ॥੧॥
- they alone are blessed; O Nanak, they are the perfect Saints. ||1||

this is the technique Maharaj is referring to in this Shabad:

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥
O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way.

ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥੨॥
While laughing, playing, dressing and eating, he is liberated. ||2||

because while "laughing, playing, dressing and eating" we are breathing, and if we have reached this stage where simran is connected to our breaths then Abhiyaas doesn't stop while doing any of those activities. 

Maharaj has even said:

ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਬਸਿਓ ਤਿਨ ਮਾਤ ਕੀਜੈ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਂਝਾ ॥
The Lord's Name does not abide within their hearts - their mothers should have been sterile.

Thus, mind must begin to do Abhiyaas with every breath. this is the technique. you don't need to go into the forest, or spend your life with a sant. How merciful Maharaj is. The technique to salvation is as simple as that. Our breathing is going on constantly, just match your simran with it internally. But don't be fooled! The technique may be simple, but for the mind to begin chanting it takes a lot of effort. We should dedicate around 2 hours at amritvela to reach this stage. but don't rush. start off with 15 mins then work your way up. 

ਮੁਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕਰੈ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਵਸਾਇਆ ॥
Everyone can chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har with their mouths, but only a few enshrine it within their hearts.

ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਮੋਖ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਤਿਨੑ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੮॥੨॥
O Nanak, those who enshrine the Lord within their hearts, attain liberation and emancipation. ||8||2||

ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਿਐ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
Everyone chants the Lord's Name, Raam, Raam; but by such chanting, the Lord is not obtained.

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਤਾ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥
By Guru's Grace, the Lord comes to dwell in the mind, and then, the fruits are obtained. ||1||

when simran is internalised then no one knows you are doing it. you can go to work, eat, sit with your family they'll all be oblivious to the simran going on within:

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਐਸੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥
Such is the Glory of the True Guru;

ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਚੇ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥
in the midst of children and spouses, they attain emancipation. ||2||

4. Para (nabhi) when simran is connected to our breaths then it will go right down to the source of our breaths, our nabhi. at this stage our breath is seated at navel and our consciousness rises to the tenth gate. 

ਨਾਭਿ ਪਵਨੁ ਘਰਿ ਆਸਣਿ ਬੈਸੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਖੋਜਤ ਤਤੁ ਲਹੈ ॥
The breath is seated in the home of the navel; the Gurmukh searches, and finds the essence of reality.

ਸੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਆਛੈ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਜੋਤਿ ਸੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਹੈ ॥
This Shabad permeates the nucleus of the self, deep within, in its own home; the Light of this Shabad pervades the three worlds.

at this stage the lotus which is upside down in our nabhi will turn upright and we will begin to hear anhad shabad, drink amrit rass and see the jyot of Maharaj within our hirdha. this cannot be explained, only experienced. 

ਕਹਿਬੇ ਕਉ ਸੋਭਾ ਨਹੀ ਦੇਖਾ ਹੀ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥੧੨੧॥
I cannot describe its sublime glory; it has to be seen to be appreciated. ||121||

Sikhi is practical. guru sahib never said trust in me and in death you shall see I was telling the truth as the prophets of other religions have said. guru sahib is saying do simran, and see it for yourself. 

to summarise:

jaap begins out loud with our tongue 

it then goes quieter to whispering 

jaap is internalised with our breaths, turns to simran, mouth is closed, shabad is vibrating inside 

simran travles to nabhi, lotus is turned upright, tenth gate is opened, anhad shabad, amrit rass and jyot parkash. 

 

On 7/17/2022 at 8:15 PM, Singh375 said:

Please comment names/numbers sangat ji and daas will edit captions below

1, 2 - Bhai Amolak Singh Ji, 3, 4, 5, 6 - Bhai Preetam Singh Ji Chani, 7, 8, 9 - Dr Preetam Singh Ji, 10 - Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji, 11 - Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji, 12 - Master Niranjan Singh Ji, 13 - (Singh from UK?), 14 - Giani Amolak Singh Ji, 15 - Bhai Joginder Singh Ji Talwara

16 - Bhai Surat Singh Ji Pooran, 17 - Bhai Harbhajan Singh Ji Sagoo, 18 - Bhai Rama Singh Ji, 19 - Bhai Mal Singh Ji, 20 - Jathedar Raghbir Singh Ji, 21 - Bhai Kulwant Singh Ji (kaki pind), 22 

23 - Bhai Avtar Singh Ji Kurala, 24 - Bhai Fauja Singh Ji, 25 - Sant Jarnail Singh Ji, 26 - Bhai Kulwant Singh Nagoke, 27 - Bhai Mehnga Singh Ji Babbar, 28 - Bhai Anokh Singh Ji Babbar, 29 - Bhai Sukhdev Singh Ji Babbar, 30 - Bhai Gujrant Singh Ji (budh singh wala), 31 - Jathedar Gurdev Singh Ji Kaonke

4. bhai shingara singh ji. read about his amazing jeevan:

https://www.gurmatbibek.com/contents.php?id=1849

1. looks like bhai jeevan singh ji singhni (cannot remember name)

8. looks like Bibi Bhupinder Kaur ji 

You don’t need to go to India to reach a high avastha, vaheguroo is within. Keep naam simran in your chit throughout the day as much as possible (Hirdha jaap), eventually (if not already) by reciting naam throughout the day, it will go to 24hours and that’s when you’ll experience the true bliss of anhad Shabad, Amrit rass etc. you’re at the very beginning stage of Simran where naam is beginning to activate.

There are many dasam dwari Gurmukhs in the west, especially Canada, do ardas to guru sahib for naam rasiya di sangat and attend rainsbhais, that’s where many naam abhyasis meet up. 

Sometimes after amritvela sangat abhyaas, chardikala gursikhs say shaheed singhs came and did abhyaas with sangat. Ive heard this many times. Shaheed singhs become pargat normally to abhyasi singhs, as those gursikhs have dib drishti, they can see lok parlok. 

Totally agree with above. Read jail chittiyan first. The first 100 pages will blow your mind! After that start to read bhai sahibs books. Most of his books are online and around 7 of the most popular books are translated into English. Here are some summaries of them from gurmat bibek forum (here 16 books are summarised however bhai sahib has written around 30 books while in jail):

Books – Biographies Jail Chithiaan: This is the most popular and most widely read book of Bhai Sahib. This books contains detailed account of Bhai Sahib’s life from the time Bhai Sahib got interested in Gurmat all the way up to 1930 when Bhai Sahib got released from jail. The first 100 pages or so are about how Bhai Sahib got into Sikhi and how he had Darshan of Vaheguru. What an account Bhai Sahib has written about Darshan of Vaheguru. Bhai Sahib had to endure extreme hardships in jail to keep Gurmat Rehit including Sarbloh Bibek. It’s nothing short of a miracle that Bhai Sahib during the terrible times of early 1900s kept Sarbloh Bibek rehit in British jails. Guru Sahib worked through Bhai Sahib and showed the world how a Gursikh should keep Rehit. This book serves as an inspiration for Gursikhs around the world to keep Gurmat Rehit and work towards attaining Vaheguru Darshan. Ranglay Sajjan: This books contains life of companions of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee. Bhai Sahib did great service for Panth by writing this book. This book not only contains life sketches of great Gurmukhs but also preserves some golden principles of Gurmat that otherwise would have been lost. Some chapters of this book cannot be read without shedding tears. This book inspires one to become a better Gursikh. Ones who are serious about their Sikhi should read this book not once but again and again. Books about Naam Gurmat Naam Abhyaas Kamaayee: This book contains detailed account of Gurmat Naam. Questions like What is Naam, How to Japp Naam, Where to find Naam, the concept of Naam, How to focus on Naam, Where not to focus while chanting Naam, what is Ajappa Jaap, True meaning of Sunaia and Manai Pauris of Siri Jap jee Sahib and Sarang kee Vaar etc. have been answered in great detail. After reading this book a few times, one gets true understanding of Naam and Gurbani now hits the reader with different affect. One’s Gurbani understanding increases manifold. Naam tay Naam Da Daata Satguru: This is another book totally devoted to the concept of Naam. How this book differs from Naam is that his book explains that Gurmat Naam is very special and rare and can be obtained only from the true Guru. This book enhances one’s understanding of Naam and inspires one to Japp Naam with increased vigour. Collection of Articles Gurmat Vichaar - This book contains some very interesting articles. Great articles on Amrit and Keski are in this book. Gurmat Lekh - This book has small articles that Bhai Sahib wrote from time to time. Gurmat Parkash - This book too has small articles, mostly those articles that Bhai Sahib wrote on Gurpurabs, for newspapers. Books on Sikh Mysticism Sach Khand Darshan – Many people think that the 5 Khands mentioned in Siri Jap jee Sahib are merely spiritual states but Bhai Sahib in this book has very strongly refuted such false claims and has proven that these Khands are real Khands where the Jeev-Aatma depending on its candidacy goes after death. Anhad Shabad Dasam Duaar: Gurbani mentions Dasam Duaar, Anhad Shabad, Angana and Panch Shabad many times. Since a normal person has no knowledge of these mystical terms, many Gurudummis like Radhasoamis take advantage of the gullible Sikhs and misinterpret these terms. Bhai Sahib in great detail has explained these concepts in the light of Gurmat and detailed the differences between the Dasam Duaar of Gursikhs as opposed to that of Yogis and Radhasoamis. It’s a wonderful book but very hard to read and understand. Charan Kamal kee Mauj - This book is very mystical. It talks about the Charan Kamals of Vaheguru and how one can enshrine the charan kamals of Vaheguru within oneself. The Charan Kamals of Vaheguru and Satguru jee are not made of flesh and blood and nor are they used as metaphors. The Charan Kamals of Vaheguru jee and Guru Sahib are very real. How do you wash Guru Sahib’s Charan and drink them? This question is answered in detail in this book. This book also talks about inverted Lotus at the navel and how it becomes straight through Naam Abhyaas. This book also talks about how the Mann rises from Nabh Kamal to Dasam Duaar. No other book talks about these subjects and ones that have attempted are so incomplete. Other Books of Bhai Sahib Gurbani diyan Lagaan Matraan dee Vilakhantaa - This book talks in detail about Gurbani grammar and correct padd-chhed of shabads. Reading this book one realises how the thinking of a Gurmukh is above and unique from commoners like us. Jhatka Maas Parthai Tatt Gurmat Nirna - This books refutes claims of supporters of meat. A great book. Gurmat Karam Philosophy - This book explains in detail the 9 meanings of the word "Karam". This book delves deep into how Karma works according to Gurmat. It also presents very interesting details on comparing Gurmat karams to non-Gurmat karams. This book is a rare book as it is not published anymore. A must read it is. Katha Kirtan - This book is the last book of Bhai Sahib and Bhai Sahib in this book proves that Gurbani Katha done at Gurdwara Sahibaan cannot be classified as Katha referred to in Gurbani. In Gurbani the word katha almost always means Gurbani itself or Naam Abhyaas. Gurbani in fact is the katha of Vaheguru jee, done by our Guru Sahibaan. This book is a great book that should not be left unread. Gurmat Gauravta - This books proves the supremacy of Gurmat over other matts (Dharams, religions). Bhai Sahib proves through Gurbani how all other religions fall short of reaching the true goal of humankind. A very great book this is. Gurmat Sach Nirnai - This book is very hard to concentrate on. Only when one has read other books of Bhai Sahib and wants to read on more, one should read this book.

On 1/18/2021 at 12:11 AM, lostguy said:

Hi,

I go through loads of mood swings throughout my daily life and this is really unproductive.

For the past few weeks I've managed to stick to 15 minutes of simran a day, and usually after I get up I just feel so much more blissful, calm and composed (also it saves me from 5 chore a lot). What I want to ask is if anyone can recommend ways that I can remain in this state of mind all the time, if not forever haha

Please do tell me about any personal experience as well I'd love to read about them!

Thanks!

The state you are referring to is called ajapa jaap. This is when simran goes on in automatic mode inside and goes into rom rom. The way you get to this stage is by going to panj Singh, receiving naam and doing swaas grass simran. After immense jaap the simran will go into swaas automatically. 
 

Gurbani talks about multi tasking (doing worldly tasks and keep japping naam in surti (mind) in the beginning stages to reach this stage. There’s a shabad by bhagat namdev ji (I think or another bhagat) where they describe a child flying a kite and talking to his friend. The shabad explains how the child is talking to his friend however his chit is focused on the kite. There’s another shabad where it describes how women in olden times would carry pots of water on their heads and walk back to village while speaking to their friends. The same concept in this where the women are still walking and talking to their friends however their focus is on their heads so the pot of water doesn’t fall down. This is how we are to do simran throughout the day. We should do all worldly tasks but keep our chit in naam (jap naam in surti). 
 

So how do we actually do this?

Gurbani updesh: ਊਠਤਬੈਠਤਸੋਵਤਨਾਮ ॥
While standing up, sitting down and sleeping, jap Naam. 
let’s leave sleeping for a moment as this will come by it’s self. However we can focus on the beginning shabad. This shabad is talking about naam simran at all times. But let’s take this shabad literally. Whenever you get up start to jap naam and when you sit back down begin to jap naam in surti. After some time your mind will get used to it and whenever you sit down your mind will automatically start to jap naam and when you stand up your mind will again jap naam. It will form a habit by guru kirpa. 
 

there are many other tips, but naam paras kala is only received to the person who has been given naam by the guru. You cannot open dasam dwaar with gurmantar without receiving  the mantar in the first place. Otherwise what would be the point of Amrit? Panj Singh will give you the technique to jap naam and how to do so throughout the day. 

As for experiences, when daas when to get naam drirr 6 singhs  and 2 bibiyan went unconscious. The kala of naam is seen and experienced by everyone who is present where naam drirr is given. Naam simran for everyone goes into automatic mode. It depends on the karam how long this will last. For some people it is only within the amrit sanchar, most people it happens for a couple of days and very very few gurmukhs it goes into automatic mode at all times till they leave this world. I never used to believe in it myself, my bibi challenged me to go and if I didn’t experience anything different she would never tell anyone to go again. That day guru sahib showed me the kirpa of naam. The rest is to remain gupt. Guru sahib kirpa you will also experience this rass. (Btw I’m not saying only naam drirr is the way to get naam, I’m just telling you my experience). 

 

52 minutes ago, ipledgeblue said:

However I do think that listening is also a good aid for memorising bani as well, such as in work situations, or trips and journeys.

Also some people have longer nitnem, they do paat of Shabad Hazare and Shabad Hazare patshahi 10, Chaupai Sahib and even Benti Chaupai length may differ. they may also read an additional Swaiye staring Deenan Ki Pratipal, and some sampradaiye also read Chandi Di Vaar and Uggardanti as part of nitnem as well! Also for evening nitnem they may read very long Chaupai Sahib for Sodar Rehras as well as long Aarti Aarta afterwards, and for night Rakhiya deh Shabad along with Keertan Sohila.

I’m on about 5 baniyan nitnem should be memorised no matter what. The rest is fine.

plus I know many singhs who have panj granthi kanth, also a Singh who has akal ustat memorised. He recited naam swaas swaas and akal ustat in surti. Can you imagine the anand! 
 

You’ll find with listening people will get used to it and will be lazy to learn to read gurmukhi. In the first stages it’s alright but we should be reciting it ourselves. The best thing to do when listening is that recite it along with the Singh. Don’t just sit there listening, your mind will wonder. Only a naam abhyaasi who’s practiced the shabad can stop all thoughts and listen with ek man ek chit. This comes with practice. This is what maharaj is rehras sahib is saying is the hardest thing to do. Akhan aukha sacha naao. 
 

The required minimum is 5 baniyan this should be memorised, and if a Singh has prem for bani he will memorise the rest.

plus Guru jis 52 hukams one is to get bani kant