Simran before or after paat? Experiences and opinions please.

[BhForce]

On 1/9/2023 at 3:30 PM, brotha said:

There is no any  before or after this or that as such thing, Simran is the foremost expression of love and devotion to Guru Jee and Waheguru at all times, it is our only link with the Lord, all other things are surplus.

True that we're suppose to do simran continuously, bro, but that's not what we're talking about. People were asking whether to do simran first or do paath first (while doing simran with each breath, of course).

When you say "there is no any before or after this", that is literally wrong.

Did you not read the Gurbani line quoted above?

ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
Afterwards at sun rise he sings Gurbani and whilst sitting or standing he meditates in God's Name. p305

ਫਿਰਿ. Meaning "then" or "after". Gurbani is clearly saying do simran then Gurbani.

[ssinghuk]

On 1/9/2023 at 11:30 PM, brotha said:

Gurbani is very clear regarding this question when it says:

SAAS SAAS SIMROH GOVIND

There is no any  before or after this or that as such thing, Simran is the foremost expression of love and devotion to Guru Jee and Waheguru at all times, it is our only link with the Lord, all other things are surplus.

When we shall  leave this world, it is only the wealth of Simran of His Name  gathered,  that which will count up there, nothing more, nothing less.

Ok so this a bit pedantic but its better to be clear - Simran means remember. We often use Simran and Jaap synonymously. Simran encompasses of all of the following and probably more:

• Reading Gurbani - and more broadly anything in praise of Waheguru
• Listening to Gurbani - and more broadly anything in praise of Waheguru
• Singing (kirtan) Gurbani - and more broadly anything in praise of Waheguru
• Discourses of Gurbani - - and more broadly anything in praise of Waheguru
• Jaap (repetition) of Gurbani/Gurmantar 

 The OP has asked specifically about Jaap. 

You are correct in what you say about the expression of love and devotion. However, this is a long journey so formalising simran is a must so that one day we wont need to think about whether we do jaap before our 5 bania or after as it will be just continious.

I agree with others in that my personal opinion is that Jaap should be before reciting Gurbani. Even a few breath exercises help in bringing the mind to rest.

[1Anonymous1]

You can do both simultaneously. Naam simran out loud then nitnem in surat or other way round, whichever is easier. Once you become adept in your abhyaas then you can do your nitnem in your hirdha and simran in your nabhi. Your mouth is closed, no sound is made, it’s all within. This comes with kirpa. 

Simran done while falling asleep will eventually make it continue throughout the night. Then when you open your eyes at AV simran is already going on. Continue your simran while getting out your bed, going to the toilet, brushing your teeth and having ishnaan. Continue your simran while getting dressed and then sit down and do your abhyaas for however long. Start with 15 mins then work your way up to around 2-2 and half hours. Then do your nitnem. This is easier as your mind will get tuned to naam while gettting ready so it’ll make it easier to concentrate when sitting down. 

You can do nitnem first or after doesn’t make a difference because simran should not stop when doing nitnem. Once naam simran becomes automatic, then there is no before or after. Do whichever is easier. Most gursikhs do simran first then nitnem. Simran will make it easier to concentrate on nitnem.