How To Benefit Of Sadh Sangat

[Sukhdeep Singhh]

According to Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji if ones is to benefit when going to the Gurdwara/Sadh Sangat they should do the following.

Deriving Maximum Benefit from Satsang

"If pride enters a devotees heart when he comes to attend a religious congregation, then he stands to gain nothing. Whoever wishes to derive the maximum benefit from a holy congregation, and to reap the fruit of crores of ‘yagyas’ (sacrificial rituals),

should do the following four things. Look, you labour, but if you work in a wrong manner and sow seed in dry land, it does not sprout into plant. It is either burnt by heat or eaten by termite. Only seed that is sown in wet land, in the right manner, at a proper depth and in the right season sprouts and bears fruit. Similarly, when you attend a holy congregation of the true, you should keep four things in mind.

First, start from home with faith and devotion. In this manner, all the distance travelled and time spent to reach the place of congregation is accounted for in heaven where abide GuruNanak Sahib and the Tenth Master Sri Guru Gobind Singh. There, like a computer, our presence is accounted for in heaven. Instead of taking us to be present in the mundane world, we are considered present in the court of God Almighty. Whether one comes on foot or on a vehicle, one’s mind and heart should be focused on the holy congregation. Even more than this, the moment a man starts thinking that he is to attend the holy congregation and so must finish his worldly tasks, the entire period of time from that moment is accounted for in heaven. If he starts finishing his tasks from the previous day, the time spent in doing so is also reckoned in heaven provided he has faith and devotion.

Secondly, when you come here, you must pay obeisance with love and reverence. What is your gain? When you bow your head to the Guru, you will be rid of your evil deeds and good deeds will naturally take their place.

Thirdly, you should come here in utter humility after shedding all sense of pride.

If you come with pride in your heart, you have nothing to gain here. Don’t come here with a sense of importance of your power and position. At the Guru’s threshold everyone is a cipher, a non-entity. We are mere beggars seeking favours, “Lord God! Give us this; give us that.” And our prayers are granted by the bountiful and gracious God.

Finally, you should listen to the discourse with total concentration of mind; first listen here attentively, and then remember it at home ; it is only then you reap full advantage of attending a holy congregation. This is the fourth thing that you should keep in mind."

Does sangat have any more suggestions to get full benefit from Sat Sangi?

[Sukhdeep Singhh]

iqAwgMq kpt rUp mwieAw nwnk Awnµd rUp swD sMgmh ]1]

thiaaga(n)th kapatt roop maaeiaa naanak aana(n)dh roop saadhh sa(n)gameh ||1||

He renounces the deceptive illusion of Maya, and joins the blissful form of the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. ||1||

It seems as though along with many other things one of Mayas main objective is to keep us away from Sadh Sangat. I remember reading a story one day about Bhagat Kabir Ji. One day Bhagat Kabir Ji was working and a poor person came and asked if Bhagat Ji could make a quilt for her daughters wedding. Bhagat Ji said yes and It would be done by the next day. Bhagat Ji agreed to this as he would have enough time to make the quilt and then later go and meet the Sadh Sangat. An hour later Maya appeared as a rich person came and asked Bhagat Ji to make a coat and have it done by tommorrow. Bhagat Ji said this was not possible because his previous duties would not allow him to make it on time. Maya was not satisfied with the answer, and said I will pay 3 times the amount. Bhagat Kabir was firm in telling Maya that it was his part of his duty to be true to his word, make an honest living, and join Sadh Sangat. Therefore the extra pay had no value for him. After constant harassing Maya finally gave up and revealed to Bhagat Ji that it was Maya goal to prevent people from joining the Sadh Sangat. Maya went on to mention that it takes on many forms and formulates many desires for the seekers mind which prevents them from entering the Sadh Sangat. Maya then went on to mention that it was afraid of Sadh Sangat and does not harass those who come into the company of the saints. Maya is so deceptive look what it did to a Guru Ka SIkh like Bhai Joga Singh. It tried to prevent Bhai Joga Singh from meeting Guru Ji.

krq kyl ibKY myl cMdR sUr mohy ]

karath kael bikhai mael cha(n)dhr soor mohae ||

Acting and play-acting, the mortal sinks into corruption. Even the moon and the sun are enticed and bewitched.

aupjqw ibkwr duMdr nauprI Junµqkwr suMdr Aing Bwau krq iPrq ibnu gopwl Dohy ] rhwau ]

oupajathaa bikaar dhu(n)dhar nouparee jhuna(n)thakaar su(n)dhar anig bhaao karath firath bin gopaal dhhohae || rehaao ||

The disturbing noise of corruption wells up, in the tinkling ankle bells of Maya the beautiful. With the beguiling gestures of love, Maya seduces everyone except the Lord. ||Pause||

qIin Bauny lptwie rhI kwc krim n jwq shI aunmq AMD DMD ricq jYsy mhw swgr hohy ]1]

theen bhounae lapattaae rehee kaach karam n jaath sehee ounamath a(n)dhh dhha(n)dhh rachith jaisae mehaa saagar hohae ||1||

Maya clings to the three worlds; those who are stuck in wrong actions cannot escape her. Drunk and engrossed in blind worldly affairs, they are tossed about on the mighty ocean. ||1||

auDry hir sMq dws kwit dInI jm kI Pws piqq pwvn nwmu jw ko ismir nwnk Ehy ]2]10]139]3]13]155]

oudhharae har sa(n)th dhaas kaatt dheenee jam kee faas pathith paavan naam jaa ko simar naanak ouhae ||2||10||139||3||13||155||

The Saint, the slave of the Lord is saved; the noose of the Messenger of Death is snapped. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the Purifier of sinners; O Nanak, remember Him in meditation. ||2||10||139||3||13||155||

We are blessed to be born with the Human birth, but this lifespan is so short only few are willing to take time to join the Sadh Sangat. Has Maya become so strong in Kaljug even against Guru Sahibs Sikhs?

swDsMig prm giq pweIAY mwieAw ric bMiD hwry ]1]

saadhhasa(n)g param gath paaeeai maaeiaa rach ba(n)dhh haarae ||1||

In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, the supreme state is attained. But those who are engrossed in the bondage of Maya, lose the game of life. ||1||

We all have responsibilites to commit to but I think when start focusing more on these responsibilities and less on our spiritual jeevan then Maya is at work. Guru Sahib gave us a perfect balanced way of life in which we should perform our responsiblities and join the Sadh Sangat. By doing so Guru Sahib performs our world duties for us.

[Matheen]

Good stuff - it's all about nimratha!