Nitnem

[Guest IronLion]

Hello,

I am new to Sikhism and have been learning and practicing to the best of my ability for the past 4 months. I have been doing Nitnem, but I think I am somewhat unorthodox in my approach - while I think it works for me and thus I will keep doing it this way (at least for now), I wanted to get opinions from the group and maybe some advice on how I could make my Nitnem more effective.

I usually wake around 4-430. In order to fit Nitnem into my morning I listen to the morning banis while I am getting ready in the morning - usually while I work out (I work out at home and it is very quiet and peaceful) and eat breakfast. I follow that with Simran before going to work. In the evening I listed Rehras Sahib during my commute home and before bed I listen to Kirtan Sohila (usually do Simran again after dinner). In the beginning I used to listen to the english translation of the banis and read the english Kirtan Sohila, but now I list to the Gurmukhi of all the banis. For now, I think it works for me as it fills me with peace and calm while I listen and my thoughts are on Waheguru while I listen.

I would like to know what people thought of this and if this seems appropriate. Ultimately I would like to be able to memorize the banis in their Gurmukhi, as well as the meaning without having to utilize the english translation in my Nitnem prayer book (I am already starting by learning Mul Mantra and also following along with the Gurmukhi romanized script while I listen to Kirtan Sohila). At the moment I am finishing a veterinary residency program and am a new father, so I am trying my best with a busy schedule - but looking forward to devoting more time to practice when I finish my residency in 5 months! 

Thank you for taking the time to reading and replying (if you do). 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. 

- I

[H908]

Waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

First of all congrats on your career  success.

with your nitnem try to do simran and nitnem before you eat. But if you have a time crunch its fine that you listen to them.

however as you get more comfortable, you could recite them from memory as you get ready, especially the smaller length banis

but its more important that you take your time and get comfortable with gurmukhi and in the time being supplement it with simran

 

[Guest IronLion]

Hi,

Thank you very much for your reply. I could make it so that I am eating breakfast after simran. I hope to get to the point where I can recite instead of just listen, but agree that it is important to take my time with it; I have to remember that what is important is that I am at least on the path. Thanks again and for your kind words in regards to my career. 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

 

- I.