Jump to content

name of the lord?


Recommended Posts

pls don´t kill me for this question, but as I am not Indian or Sikh (I am a native austrian/europe man)I must ask on what name of the lord do sikhs meditate?

Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, my heart is filled with peace.

simrat naam ridai sukh paa-i-aa.

best regards

Supergizmo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, my heart is filled with peace.
simrat naam ridai sukh paa-i-aa.

'Naam' here is not just a word to be spoken, it is the spiritual essence of His being which is implanted into you by the true Guru. There are some variations in mantras (but with same results it would seem); some use 'satnaam', satnaam waheguru', 'waheguru', 'waheguru ji', waheguru oankar' etc. However Reciting a mantra is only one aspect of (invoking) 'Naam' but there's much more to it.

http://www.info-sikh.com/PageKnow7.html

What is the concept of Naam in Sikhism:

Naam is a very deep and integral part of Sikh belief. If one reads the English translation of Naam, it says Name. This is true but does not explain Naam completely. This is because Naam is the essence of God, in Sikhism God is Alakh, unfathomable, Apaar, infinite. Naam is not just the Name, but also, truthful living, truthful speaking, seeing the truth in every single being, breathing the truth, eating truth, totally immersed in the truth. In the first line of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it says ‘SatNaam,’ that God's name is Truth.

Naam is also a way of life in Sikhism.

Let's do another experiment/demonstration, describe your mother.

A mother is someone who feeds you when you are hungry (sustainer), comforts you when you are sad (cherisher), protects you from danger and harm (protector). Now, when someone asks us, who is that woman? We say that is my mother. We do not say, that is the lady that protects me, feeds me, cherishes me, etc. The title of "Mother" is very informative and all the qualities associated with the name are understood without explanation.

So it is in Sikhism, the Naam, or the Name is very important. What is that name, SatNaam, the true name. The name is Waheguru, Satnam, Akal Purkh, Kartar, Narain, Nirankar etc. The Name describes the Lord and all the Lord's glorious attributes, infinite in number. Meditation and repartition of the Name brings one closer to the one God and all his attributes. In Sikhism one receives this Naam, from God, or from the Satguru, true guru, the perfect guru or the revealed word of God, Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
baani guru, guru hai baani - The word of God is Guru, and Guru is the word of God.

Also see:

http://www.wahegurunet.com/name-of-gods

Name of Gods: The Concept of Naam
Introduction to Name of Gods: The Concept of Naam

Naam, Shabad, or Word, is the quintessence of Sikh spirituality and
is mentioned 2546 times in the Sikh Holy Scripture, the Guru Granth
Sahib, literally meaning the Name of Gods or God. But what exactly is
Naam and why is it so important?


What is Naam?
Naam as a Controlling Force

Naam is the great creative and controlling power of God. Naam has no
beginning and no end. It is unchanging, ancient and eternal and it is
the life current which pervades the entire creation. The withdrawal of
Naam from creation would lead to its decay and destruction.


Attributes of Naam

Naam is characterised by sweet strains and melodious tunes and
powerful light which can be seen and witnessed. This sound current is
active in the whole of creation. This is one of the ways humans
experience this phenomenon within themselves.


Why is Naam Inaudible?

Our mind is always in a state of oscillation and all the time our
mental faculties are always flowing outward into the world. Never for a
moment have they known any rest. Until we internalise our focus and
allow the mind to become purified and stilled, one cannot listen to the
reverberations of the sound current.


The 5 Shabads (Melodies)

Naam, the primal sound current is in fact only one continuous
vibration. However as it steps down through 5 different planes of
existence, with their varying degrees of density, the frequency of Naam
changes and this creates the ‘Panj Shabad’, the five distinct melodies,
which are contained within the mantra Sat Naam and are S, T, N, M and A.
These five melodies come from God and become the means of re-uniting us
back with God. It is this internal experience of the 5 shabads that
inspired the Sikh Gurus and Yogis to create instruments like the
Dilruba, Saranda, Taus, Sitar and Rabab which re-created the sounds of
Naam to enable common people to experience these sounds.


Bhai Gurdas Ji, the great Sikh philosopher, tells us that it is only
after one transcends body-consciousness that one gets contact with the
five primal sounds.


The 5 Khands (Planes of Existence)

The five planes of existence are mentioned at the end of Jap Ji Sahib
which is the first poem in the Sikh Holy Scripture. The five planes
include:


1) ‘Dharam Khand’ or the Realm of Action


2) ‘Gyan Khand’ or the Realm of Knowledge


3) ‘Saram Khand’ or the Realm of Ecstacy


4) ‘Karam Khand’ or the Realm of Grace


5) ‘Sach Khand’ or the Realm of Truth


Relationship between Naam, Anhad-Bani and Gurbani

‘Anhad-Bani’ refers to the five primal sounds of the universe and
their mesmerising sounds. So, in actual fact Anhad-Bani is just another
word for Naam, as it flows through the different planes of existence.


‘Gurbani’ is made up of two words, which are ‘Guru’ and ‘Bani’,
literally meaning ‘Word of the Guru’. Gurbani refers to the chants
(Mantras) in the Sikh Scripture, and it is Gurbani which a Sikh will use
to connect to Anhad-Bani or Naam.


Greatness of Naam

In Sukhmani Sahib, a meditation to create ‘Peace of Mind’ contained
in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there is a wonderful account of the
greatness of Naam:


“The rosary, the penances, knowledge and thinking. The study of
shastras, simritis and scriptures. The yogic practices and the
performance of rites and rituals. A life of solitude in the deep
recesses of the forests. All endeavours of various types, including
deeds of charity for name and fame, cutting the limbs in self conceit.
All these and more still do not come up to the merit of Naam. Says
Nanak, a beloved of God is ever engaged in communion with the
Word/Naam.”


Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Master, in the eighth to the
eleventh stanzas of Jap Ji Sahib, enumerates the many advantages that
accrue from the hearing and acceptance of Naam by saying:


“By communion with Naam, one can attain the status of a super
human being with spiritual powers, a god and a yoga master. By communion
with Naam, the earthly regions, the heavens and the nether regions
stand revealed. By communion with Naam one becomes immortal. Says Nanak,
God’s devotees live in perpetual ecstasy for the Naam washes away all
sin and sorrow.”


How is Naam Obtained?
The Quickest Route to Nirvana

Guru Nanak Dev Ji has said that the practice of Naam is the quickest
and easiest method for self awakening. Guru Arjan Dev Ji confirms this
by saying:


“In this age, Kirtan (signing the praises of the Lord) occupies the highest place among spiritual practices.”


Traversing Spiritual Planes

It is with the assistance of Naam that a soul can traverse through
higher spiritual regions (Khands). It serves as an electric lift that
can safely carry a spirit yearning for God realisation back to its true
home (Sach Khand). The sounds of Naam become the “yellow brick road”
leading the way back home.


Controlling the 10 Doors in the Body

The human body has nine visible doors which include two eyes, two
nostrils, two ears, one mouth, one sex organ and one rectum. The tenth
door is hidden and is located at the crown. Guru Ram Das Ji says:


The Master manifests the Water of Life (Amrit) at the tenth
gate. And listening to the divine music (Naam) one is led to stillness
absolute.”



The Seat of Naam

The body is the Temple of God, for God made people in his own image.
One way that an individual can contact and become one with Naam and hear
the divine melody is by meditating with focus at the sixth chakra
(energy centre), also known as the third eye or brow point, located at
the roof of the nose between and behind the two eyebrows, whist
repeating a Guru Mantra like “Satnam” or listening and singing Gurbani.


Names of God

A Guru Mantra (chant) can be used for meditation and there are two categories of Guru Mantras which are namely:


1. ‘Karam Naam’ or names which are qualitative or attributive in
nature such as merciful, all-pervading, compassionate etc. The most
common one used by Sikhs is ‘Vaheguru’ which means ‘Wonderful Lord’.


2. ‘Pura Purbala Naam’ or personal names which are all-comprehensive,
ancient and eternal. The eternal name used by Sikhs is ‘Sat Naam’ which
means ‘Truth is Your Identity’.


Receiving Naam from Khalsa (Master Souls)

When an individual chooses to consciously become a Sikh and shine as a
Khalsa (pure) light they are given Amrit which is prepared by five
baptised Sikhs who will recite five specific Gurbani meditations in
order to infuse the Holy Naam into the water. This will then be given to
the new Sikhs to give them a head start in their spiritual practice.


What is the best time to Meditate on Naam?

All times are great for meditation but Amrit Vela, which is from 3am
till 6am, is the best and will provide the greatest fruit. This is due
to the serenity of the environment at that time of day and the idea that
during this time, the power of your meditation is multiplied by many
times.


Naam in Other Faith Systems

Naam is not unique to the Sikh way of life. Naam is ancient and
eternal and it is an underlying belief in all the major world religions.
Some examples of Naam in other faith beliefs are given below.


Hinduism

Hindus believe that the whole of creation was made through Naad
(Naam). They also refer to Naam as Akash Bani. The Amritbind Upanishad
reads, “Like the butter hidden in milk, the Pure Consciousness
resides in every being. That ought to be constantly churned out by the
churning rod of the mind.”


Buddhism

An extract from the Tibetan Book of the Dead reads “…vibrating
and dazzling like coloured threads, flashing, radiant, transparent,
glorious and awe inspiring…will strike against thy heart, so bright that
the eye can not bear to look upon them…Be not afraid of that brilliant
radiance of five colours, nor terrified; but know that Wisdom to be
thine own.”


Christianity

An extract of the bible states, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”


What Happens if you don’t commune with Naam?
Human Life is Wasted

Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, “Everyone in the world is a unique gambler. They wish for all material joy at the cost of Naam.”


Truly Dead

Guru Amar Das Ji says, “That person alone wakes up to the reality
whom God may so desire and meditates on the Word of the Master. Says
Nanak, they indeed are dead who do not commune with Naam.”


Enlightenment and Life is Harder

Guru Arjan Dev Ji says, “Always sing the praises of God and your
sorrows will vanish. By forgetting the Naam, says Nanak, one is behest
with difficulties”
.

Summary to Name of Gods
  • Naam or Anhad-Bani is the creative, destructive and sustaining power of God
  • Naam is characterised by five sets of unique sounds and light
    patterns called the ‘Panj Shabad’ which are S, T, N, M and A, all
    contained within the Guru Mantra ‘Sat Naam’
  • Gurbani and Guru Mantras are used to focus our spirit at the third
    eye. This is where we will taste the sweet internal nectar called
    ‘Amrit’
  • From the third eye onwards, Naam carries us safely, one step at a
    time, across the five realms of existence (Khands) up to the highest
    realm of truth or ‘Sach Khand’, which is our true home
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you all!

I travelled much - to many countries - and one of my biggest love is Amritsar. Sikh are in my point of view the most ethical beings on this planet. Never give up - friends. But the most important thing is peace -

also when you are unsatisfied with so many circumstances.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After listening to gurbani today, I came to the conclusion, that I have definitely no right, to teach you

something, as I said yesterday, that the main importance is always peace. I am here to learn only.

I am sorry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • yeh it's true, we shouldn't be lazy and need to learn jhatka shikaar. It doesn't help some of grew up in surrounding areas like Slough and Southall where everyone thought it was super bad for amrit dharis to eat meat, and they were following Sant babas and jathas, and instead the Singhs should have been normalising jhatka just like the recent world war soldiers did. We are trying to rectifiy this and khalsa should learn jhatka.  But I am just writing about bhog for those that are still learning rehit. As I explained, there are all these negative influences in the panth that talk against rehit, but this shouldn't deter us from taking khanda pahul, no matter what level of rehit we are!
    • How is it going to help? The link is of a Sikh hunter. Fine, but what good does that do the lazy Sikh who ate khulla maas in a restaurant? By the way, for the OP, yes, it's against rehit to eat khulla maas.
    • Yeah, Sikhs should do bhog of food they eat. But the point of bhog is to only do bhog of food which is fit to be presented to Maharaj. It's not maryada to do bhog of khulla maas and pretend it's OK to eat. It's not. Come on, bro, you should know better than to bring this Sakhi into it. Is this Sikh in the restaurant accompanied by Guru Gobind Singh ji? Is he fighting a dharam yudh? Or is he merely filling his belly with the nearest restaurant?  Please don't make a mockery of our puratan Singhs' sacrifices by comparing them to lazy Sikhs who eat khulla maas.
    • Seriously?? The Dhadi is trying to be cute. For those who didn't get it, he said: "Some say Maharaj killed bakras (goats). Some say he cut the heads of the Panj Piyaras. The truth is that they weren't goats. It was she-goats (ਬਕਰੀਆਂ). He jhatka'd she-goats. Not he-goats." Wow. This is possibly the stupidest thing I've ever heard in relation to Sikhi.
    • Instead of a 9 inch or larger kirpan, take a smaller kirpan and put it (without gatra) inside your smaller turban and tie the turban tightly. This keeps a kirpan on your person without interfering with the massage or alarming the masseuse. I'm not talking about a trinket but rather an actual small kirpan that fits in a sheath (you'll have to search to find one). As for ahem, "problems", you could get a male masseuse. I don't know where you are, but in most places there are professional masseuses who actually know what they are doing and can really relieve your muscle pains.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use