Remembering stuff during simran/paath

[Wicked Warrior]

Quite often I remind myself to do something maybe 2-3 tasks. Nothing critical but just stuff that needs doing. Sometimes I'll forget.

But I find during simran or paath, when I'm relaxed, I remember what it was I was supposed to do. I'm never sure what to do next: should I get up and do those tasks, or wait until after?

If I get up, I interrupt my simran. If I don't, it plays on my mind until I get up anyway. What is the best course of action?

[dalsingh101]

When I started simran I was shocked at the amount of stuff that comes floating up! lol

Don't break your simran, try and 'let go' of the thought so that it floats away like a wisp of smoke.

In my case another (seemingly random) furna seems to pop up shortly after.

I was advised not to fight these thoughts but to let them disappear - you can help this process by refocusing on your mantar or breathing. The thought usually disappears after a few moments.

Actually I love some practical, tried and tested tips on focusing by veteran simraners. Please share.

[Wicked Warrior]

I normally try and stop my tongue moving so simran moves to the brain and that's where I hear it. Very difficult to master.

[SunSingh]

you could keep a notepad nearby and if you can't let go of the thoughts, just write them down and then back to the simran.

[VanHelsingh]

I've always thought (rightly or wrong, please tell me) that nitnem or simran spoken aloud is the only method that counts. That's wrong isn't it? Like, if I hear it coming out of my mouth then that's when it's truly been recited. If I do it silently (with it only being heard in my mind) then I've not really done it. Any thoughts on this?

[Simranjit Singh]

There are different stages of simran. In the initial stages we should practise simran by speaking it loudly. A mala can be used to help us concentrate.

At some point with Guru jis kirpa, a stage is reached where the lips cease to move and mental simran continues. This stage induces mental peace and joy. As we grow spiritually, mental simran will always or whenever we choose progress unceasingly. The physical aspect of simran ends and mental simran continues from day to day.

Read bandginama by Raghbir Singh Bir for further clarification.

[VanHelsingh]

There are different stages of simran. In the initial stages we should practise simran by speaking it loudly. A mala can be used to help us concentrate.

At some point with Guru jis kirpa, a stage is reached where the lips cease to move and mental simran continues. This stage induces mental peace and joy. As we grow spiritually, mental simran will always or whenever we choose progress unceasingly. The physical aspect of simran ends and mental simran continues from day to day.

Read bandginama by Raghbir Singh Bir for further clarification.

Thanks, brother.

[N30S1NGH]

As others have mentioned, consider thoughts to be small waves in the ocean (you), you need to realize ocean is same regardless of waves or ripple effects..ignore them. Keep reciting the mantra, keep being in your original state - focused, thoughtless awareness..!!

If its bugging you too much, start doing vichar on simran- Vahi (acharaj- divine beauty- light/resosance) Gurooo- Chaitan saroop (supreme consciouness- thoughtless awareness) or start reciting mool mantar up to nanak hosi bhi sach and start doing vichar on the mool mantar on each and every akhar on mool mantar, all the thoughts will go off the window by itself..!!!!!!

[dalsingh101]

^^^^

That's good advice there.

We got similar from Giani Thakur Singh on his recent katha tour. When my thinking gets too invasive during Waheguru mantar jaap, I find slowly doing mool mantar simran helps big time.

[Khaalis]

All the above is relevant advice, particularly the not giving 'importance' to interrupting thoughts. When a distraction enters the mind... smile. It's there because it is a personal experience (something you saw, heard, felt). Don't feel upset/panicked/worried/depressed, understand that your present action (bhagti) is the answer to ensuring that all experiences here on, are pavitar. It's usually the hurt of stress/bad experience that brings us to remember Vaheguru. Acknowledge it, relax and it will swiftly pass by. Fight to remove it... and it will stay (even if in a subtle form).

Rather than risk your simran being interrupted, prepare the focus/concentration before hand, this is what Sant advise, and it works. Never go straight to simran (until you are accomplished). Always start with a Japji Sahib (full dhyaan, said aloud with correct ucharan). The focus on each word, it's arthh, the flowing poetry will blow away any distraction. By the time you complete the Jap Ji Sahib, your mind should already by super-focused and in total peace. That is the perfect time to go into naam simran. As in most disciplines - a higher preparation ratio will always ensure a higher quality/level execution of the main objective.

The other traditional method is to start off with sampuran Mool Mantar as already mentioned... recite it aloud until the Mantar goes internal/cyclic, then switch to Gurmantar. Sometimes we get so much anand form Mool Mantar alone, that we feel like continuing it, if so, continue it - it is Guru given anand.

Another important aspect to remember is that our Guru given Mantars are a plant. In order to receive the fruit from that plant, we need to nurture, it, care for it, feed it, give is sunlight etc. These things are manifest in ‘inspiration and karam (actions)’. We must inspire ourselves by being rehitvaan, not for fanatical ‘I’m better than you’ purposes, but to please our Gur-Pita, it’s for him we keep our rehit, not to show or tell others. Ensure you are making udham towards learning arthh of Gurbani, doing vichaar on those arthh, discussing them with sangat. Ensure you are daily listening to, reading, telling ithihaas of our Guru Sahiban or esteemed Khalsa. Ensure you are staying away from manmat lok and bad environments, these people or places drain our kamai. Learn yudh vidya (in whatever form) with dedication, keep an open mind – keep learning and improving your skill, you don’t need to talk about it, learn it for yours, your families and the Panths raksha – not just to tick your ‘cultural roots box’. Do all things with umpteen nimrata, this pleases the Guru, and increases his blessings. Do nishkaam seva, be involved in ‘some’ form of seva to increase ekta/unity/pyaar in the Panth, stay away from those that create division and argument in the Panth. Do seva to promote Sikhi in whatever form you can.

All the above have a huge impact on simran.. we can’t expect not to live a Gurmat life (sweet speech, respectful gaze, pure thoughts, considerate/selfless actions) and think our simran will be fruitful. Simran effects our lifestyle/personality, but the opposite is totally true too. It’s a circle.

At a basic level, 'association' is also a great tool to have. If dedicate one place to sit and do simran everyday, if do it at the same time everyday (we do of course aim to do it 8 pehar), if you light a candle or wear a shawl etc, whatever you do, make it a rehit, a habit. Your mind will associate all these things with the exercises of simran and it will becmoe easier.

Another thing to consider is ‘gyaan’. Many get obsessed with gyaan, this can take the form of history, theology, comparative religion etc etc. To the point that there is no effort and time for simran. And for some, the simran is simply a mechanical exercise, because gyaan is not the essential ingredient for simran. Gyaan is powerful ONLY, if it increases our bhagti, otherwise it simply serves to drag us away from Parmeshar (feed our haumai ‘I’). Many people have read and contemplated the ocean of advice on simran available on the internet by Sants. But this alone is not enough for bhagti. The gyaan is supposed to lead to a change in thought and action, and more importantly bhaav. Bhagti is only fruitful if it is done with prem. I know many academic types who have excellent knowledge over Gurbani, can quote all day, have great ithihaasik gyaan.. but struggle with ‘prem’.

Prem can only come from ‘nimrata’ (humility). And nimrata increases with prema bhagti. This then effects all our thoughts and actions and creates a person who endeavours to please everyone and be the perfect son/daughter, wife/Husband, parent, friend, work colleague, neighbour, stranger etc etc. These Gurmukhs then become residents of ‘Anandpur’ no matter where on this planet they reside.

Most importantly, always ask for naam di daat in your ardaas. This is the single most powerful action that will eventually lead us to recieving Gur-Prasad.

Forgive the random ramble and gaps in the vichaar.

Vaheguru.