Path Dha Bhog

Sikhology

Sikh course on self-improvement  ( seminar for senior teenagers,  post-teenagers and older)                                                             

Dya Singh Sikhology is the application of Sikhi as a tool for self-improvement. The start point is a basic understanding of what Guru Ji intended. This is a basic course of self-improvement, the ‘Sikh’ way, for one who is deeply involved in living life to the full and does not have time for lengthy rituals and religious practices.This course is NOT a deviation from mainstream Sikh thought.    

*  Naam Simran – basic theta-state ‘naam’ exercise, and philosophy

      (Mool Mantr/Gur Mantr)

*  Ardaas & My Heroes (Ten Patshahi  &  Shabad Guru)

*  Music/Kirtan as simran

*  The Path of Bliss – The Neutral Ground (Sehaj Avastha)

*  East/West :  Question of  Identity

*  Some Thoughts on Meditation

*  TRIVIA/Random Thoughts/Sayings of interest

1. This is NOT a religious discourse in Sikhism. It is spiritual in nature and a tool for self improvement.
2. Questions are encouraged BUT differences in opinion must be resolved. Most importantly, by all means agree to disagree but we must move on using the disagreement as a tool for further learning rather than as a point of disruption or ill-feeling.
3. Expect repetitions. It is the best way of learning a lesson!
4. Naam Simran/Meditation will always remain the central theme throughout.
5. Each of us is different. We respond/react differently. We are individually unique – ‘seva lakh’. We are going to take away our own acceptance of what we experience in this discourse. Therefore each of us receives ‘Gurpersadh’ (Grace/Understanding) in our own way.

Note: This discourse has been conducted at a number of places. Please contact Dya Singh on dyasingh@khalsa.com if interested.

 Naam Simran (Sikh Meditation) Primary ‘Naam Simran’

1. Sit relaxed and comfortable. Best posture is sitting cross-legged on carpet.

2. Eyes closed or open as preferred

3. Breath deeply preferably through nose, hold breath and exhale slowly.

4. Remind yourself – I AM SOUL FIRST, then mind, lastly body.

5. Dwell on breathing in the river ‘SAT’ (Truth), right down to belly-button, hold breath momentarily and expel ‘Naam’. Breath in the ‘Truth’, the body/being draws its spiritual sustenance from this river of ‘Sat’ and then, expel what is not required as ‘Naam’ which then gets purified by nature, the servant of God, and comes back to us in the form of ‘Sat’. We are one with all of creation, One with our surroundings and one with those around us. We are one with Creation, the feminine counterpart to the Eternal Male, GOD.    

The Generator, the Operator, the Destroyer.

Step 1.

       1. As above

       2. Invoke the Mool Mantr/Gur Mantr. Each word/phrase ‘sung’ as below with each exhalation. Remember, Primary ‘Naam Simran’ is ongoing  inhaling ‘Sat’ and exhaling ‘Naam’.

IK OANG  KAaaaR          SAT’E’NAAAM         KARTAAAA          PURAKHAAA

NIRBHAUUUU         NIRVAIRRRR     AKAAAAL       MURATAAAA

AJOOONIIIII            SAI…BHAAAANNNGGG           GURE... PERSAAADH

JAPE          AAADH-SACHHHH       JUGADHH-SACHHH      HAI-BHI-SAACHHHH

NANEKE-a-a-a        HOSI-BHI-SACHa-a-a-a-a       WAAAHE-ay-ay-ay         GURUUU

Note: That is 19 breaths and you are doing it right if it takes you almost 4 to 5 minutes to complete one cycle!

Let’s put the ‘magic’, the ‘mantra’ into the exercise so that the mind is completely engulfed with the attributes of ‘GOD’ and also the attributes we, as human beings, with the seed of GOD within us, the ‘atma’, aspire to. Remember – God is within us.

Each word/phrase above carries a resonance and also a deep meaning which we wish to aspire to. This ‘meaning’ is personal and beyond the logic of the mind but it has a starting point of comprehension.

Let us put some ‘basic meanings’ to dwell upon as we are meditating upon this ‘naam’.

IK : one, undisputable, ‘source of all existence’.

OANG : the sound of the universe, the sound of ‘creation’. It is open as ‘I’ am a part of that ‘creation, not divorced from it.

KAR : the reality of creation. It happened, it is here.

SAT’E’NAAM : The ‘truth’. The True Name. ‘I’ aspire to BE ‘truth’, be truthful, live truthfully. (Truth is the highest virtue. Higher still is truthful living.)

KAR’E’TAA : The One who creates. The do-er.

PURAKH : The Eternal Male. (The creator is ‘Male’. All of creation is ‘female’.)

NIRBHAU : God is without fear. ‘I’ am without fear … if I  ‘fear/respect’ God.

                      (He who fears God has nothing to fear…)

NIRVAIR : God is without vengeance. ‘I’ harbour no thoughts of vengeance, animosity, rancour, hatred, competitiveness, jealousy, or any other ill-feeling towards anyone.

AKAAL :  The Eternal, The Infinite. God is forever. ‘I’ am eternal. (My soul, my inner self, my true self, is forever)

MURAT: I shall always dwell on the ‘bigger picture’.

AJOONI : God is beyond life and death. ‘I’ aspire to be beyond life and death. ‘I’ aspire to be eternal.

SAI BHANG : God is self-illuminated, self-taught. ‘I’ can only attain enlightenment through my own efforts. Knowledge is only a tool for wisdom. Self-effort is most important towards a state of enlightenment.

GURPERSAADH : Ultimately I can attain self-enlightenment through the Grace of the ‘Guru’. The Guru is the ‘word’. The ‘word’ (shabad) is the path to God.

JAP/JUP : Recite. Do not be afraid to recite!

AADH SACH : The Truth before Time began.

JUGADH SACH : The Truth when Time began.

HAI BHI SACH : The Truth at the present moment

NANAK : The ‘one’ who has led me to this ‘path’.

HOSI BHI SACH : Forevermore the Truth.

WAHEGURU :   ‘WOW’!     ‘Wonderous Lord’!

Basic secondary notes on Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta and GammaState of Mind. 

(for information only) 

These are states of the mind – varying frequencies of thought waves. The higher the frequency the higher your state of physical/mental activity. You lower the frequency, but amplify the thought waves to calm your mind down and get closer to ‘the source of all existence/reality’ –WAHEGURU, and also become more creative.  

Beta: Most active state of mind. High frequency thought waves. Fully alert. You are thinking talking and communicating with those around you. One who is arguing a case or debating or making a speech is in a high beta state. Staying for long periods in ‘beta’ state leads to tension, stress and related diseases.  

Alpha : relaxed, meditative state of mind. Relaxed, detached awareness. Lower frequency of thought waves. Daydreaming, fantasizing. The bridge between conscious and subconscious mind. But ‘alpha’ state is non-creative because of lower amplitude of thought. Too much ‘alpha’ – too much daydreaming. Too little ‘alpha’ makes us human machines. So we must learn to move to the next stage of higher though amplification…  

Theta : A deeper state of relaxation. This state is reached through at least twenty minutes or more of meditation and one is then able to reach an absolute state of  perfect calmness. This is the state of the subconscious. This state helps one reach that part of the mind between the conscious and the unconscious. This is the spiritual state where one moves towards God. The brainwaves are of greater amplitude but lower frequency – the creative stage.  

Delta: state of deep sleep. Also intuitive state. Eg. If  phone rings you know who it is without picking up phone. Hence one reaches a very heightened state of acute awareness and intuitiveness. That is why we should spend last hour of the day in bed reading something and finally end with doing ‘Sohila’ to reach a ‘delta’ stage while asleep. This stage lends to good sound sleep, yet in a creative stage. 

Gamma: State of high brain activity under a Theta-Gamma state. Normally talked about by faith healers etc.

FOR OUR PURPOSES, TO GAIN MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR DAY TO DAY LIVING WE ASPIRE TO REACH THE THETA STATE OF BRAIN ACTIVITY THROUGH NAAM SIMRAN. Then we are in communion with Waheguru.

The ‘Inner Maryadha’ (5 ‘S’s & 5 ‘K’s)   

                             SACH 

                             SUCH   ( Such hovai ta sach payiyai) /    

            SEWA     SANGAT   SIMRAN  

Kirt Karni     Wand Shakna        Naam Japna  

1.     Truth is the highest virtue. Higher still is truthful living

2.     ‘Suchai uh n aakhiyan behen je panda dhoe, suchai sayi Naneka jin man veseya soye’.

3.     How does He come to dwell in the mind? When one is immersed in sewa, sadh-sangat and Simran.

4.     SEWA – Aapay sewa layiyen, aape bakhsh  karay. Sewa is a PRIVILEGE!

5.     SANGAT: When you are on this ‘path’, good company gravitates towards you – you gravitate towards good company. Seyi pyaray mail, jina milia tera Naam chit avai.

6.     You have now created the right environment for yourself to do ‘SIMRAN’.

7.     The 5 ‘K’s are the outward reflection of this inner discipline. Do you have this ‘inner’ discipline?  *    

Ardaas & My Heroes (Ten Patshahian & Shabad Guru) 

Every Sikh ‘must’ learn how to do his/her own ardaas. Ardaas invokes the spirit of our Das Patshahian (Ten Guru Jis) who are ‘hajer-najer’ (ever-present) to help us along the path of human life. The minimum is knowing by heart the first paudi of the Ardaas. This is enough to invoke the spirit of our Das Patshahian.

Pritham Bhegauti simerkai, Guru Nanak leyeen dheyaye.

Phir Angadh Gur, te AmarDas, RamDasai hoyi sehaye.

Arjan, HarGobind nau, simerau Sri Har Rai.

Sri HarKrishan dheyiyai, jis dithai sabh dukh jaye

Tegh Bahadur simeriyai, qar nau nidh aavai thaayeSabh thayeen hoye sahaaye, sabh thayeen hoye sahaaye.

Dasven Patshah, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, sabh thayeen hoye sahaahe.

Desaan Patshahian dhi jot, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji dhe ‘path’, didar dha dheyan dhar ke,

                                          BOLO,

              WAHEGURU, WAHEGURU WAHEGURU.  

MY HEROES: 

To develop a personal relationship with each and every Guru Sahib we need to come to know them. 

Nanak : gave us ‘Naam’. 

Angadh : OBEDIENCE & emphasized need for education & physical fitness

Amar Das : old age not a barrier; SEWA.

Ram Das : be enterprising : find detachment within affluence (materialism)

Arjan Dev : Architect/Engineer/Golden Temple/ FIRST SHAHIDH/SGGS 

Har Gobind : Miri-Piri (Akal Takhat)

Har Rai :  knowledge & care for eco-system – libraries, dispensaries, flora, fauna.

Har Krishan : never too young!

Tegh Bahadur : Shahidh: Protecting the rights of others. 

Gobind Singh : The complete human being 

Shabad Guru – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.*

Music/Kirtan as  ‘simran’ (Meditation) 

Shabad Guru, surt dhun chela :  The ‘guru’ is shabad, soulful attachment is the disciple. 

Dhun? Resonence? Music begins where language ends…

Music is food for the soul. Music helps us reach beyond the limitations of the mind. 

Kaljug me kirtan Perdhana – The highest form of meditation is kirtan. 

So dar tera keha, so qar keha jit bhai sarab semalay. Vajay tere nadh anekh asangkha, kete tere vaven hare. Which is your doorway, where is your mansion, from where You oversee all your Creation? I know music is everpresent there! Countless musical instruments and countless musicians!!!

The Major modes (Bilawal) is uplifting, energizing and spiritual (detached)The minor modes (Komal notes) draw energy into the physical hence emotional.  

‘Lavan’/Anand Karaj as a life philosophy 

Dhan pir eh n aakhiyan, behen ekathay hoe.Aikh jyot doe moorti, dhan pir kehiyai soye. Enjoining of two souls, as one unit to God, in marriage. Thereby becoming one soul in two bodies and journeying towards ‘Godhood’ (Sachkhand). A spiritual rite of passage for a couple, the ideal Sikh life, through four stages. 

The first stage:

Physical. The preparation and justification for the state of marriage – Grahast Marag which is considered the primordial form of living as a Sikh. It repudiates the idea that a ‘religious’ person, who dedicates his life to God should remain single. Therefore,  striving for material wellbeing, producing and raising a family, but always keeping close to Waheguru.(O Creator, as we step forth into the first round, We resolve to return to the world of action …)  

The second stage:

Mental. Establishing a ‘home’ & environment and thought and action conducive to spiritual development for oneself and ones offsprings. Guru/God-awareness begins(In the second round, we meet the True Guru, the Primal Being…) 

The third stage:

Spiritual. Naam. Slow detachment within attachment. The third verse describes the soul’s detachment from the world and outside influences becoming deeply devoted to the Master and wishing to live only for Him. Note: 5 ‘S’s? (Sangat, Sewa, Simran, Such, Sach)(In the third round, the bliss of detachment fills the mind…) 

The fourth and final stage:

Sehaj Anand. Reaching the stage of bliss.When no feeling of separate entities is possible between the two. On the purely spiritual plane, the soul reaches complete union with the Master and finds perfect joy in His love.(In the fourth round, our minds find peace. We unite with The Divine One…)  

The Anand Karaj ceremony is the coming together in holy union of a male and a female symbolized through the union of the Creator (The Eternal Male) with Creation (the female). 

Sehaj Anand,  SachKhand – The Path of Bliss 

Shabad: Jo nar dukh main dukh neheen manai… (SGGSp.633) :

The person who in pain, feels not pain, who is affected not by pleasure, affection and fear, and deems gold as dust. Who is swayed not by dispraise or praise, and who suffers not from greed, worldly love and pride; who remains unaffected by joy or sorrow and who minds not honour nor dishonour. Who renounces all hope and yearning, remains desire-free and whom lust and wrath touch not, within his/her mind abides the Lord. Such a person understands the ‘way’ and is blessed with the grace of the Guru. Such a person blends with the Lord as water mingles with water. 

Exercise: Hold hands out apart from each other, palms open, facing up. 

1.     On one palm place CRITICISM, on the other PRAISE. The worst criticism you have received, condemnation. On the other the highest pinnacle of praise. Hold the feeling of each, feel it. Then move to the other and feel it.      

2.     Same as above. On one palm place someone you hold to be a SUPERIOR being. On the other place someone you hold very INFERIOR. For one you have great admiration and aspire to. The other you hold in disgust.   

3.     Same as 1. On one hand hold the thought of LOVE, or someone you Love very much. Hold that feeling that you feel when you have that Love or the Loved One. On the other, hold the feeling you have of someone you hate – someone who brings forth great unhappiness because you loath that person.      

For each exercise hold the two opposing/conflicting ‘feelings/emotions. Bounce from one to the other. Start bring the two palms closer to each other slowly at the same time keep bouncing from one to the other. Until the palms come together.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN THE PALMS COME TOGETHER?  THAT IS THE ‘NEUTRAL PATH’ – Sehaj Avastha. The point at which one or the other merge – where one neutralizes the other. THAT IS TRUE BLISS.

Na ko bairi, naahi begana. Avar sang hum ko bane aayee.

 Creator           Grace              Acceptance  

Miri-Piri Philosophy (Sant-Sipahi) 

… in human lifespan between birth and death, worldliness and spirituality need to co-exist side by side for an orderly evolution to the highest plane of truth (sach-khand) where dwells the Creator, the Timeless Being (Akal Purakh), the wonder of wonders, the  ‘Wah’Guru’.

 While a balance between worldly pursuits and spiritual detachment leads to a harmonious life devoted to the community service, a loss of this balance brings about chaos and disorder.               

…the rush to produce high earning professionals but not successful fathers/mothers, husband/wives, brothers/sisters, and decent and responsible human beings. 

…physically represented by the central Sikh institutions of miri-piri, The Akal Takhat (miri) and the Darbar Sahib (piri) within the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar.

 (Prn. Gurmukh Singh in forward to Miri-Piri booklet by SS. Narang) 

MIRI – PIRI : from booklet by by SS. Narang UK. 

Miri is the symbol of worldly activities and the (physical) masculine virtues of  power, strength, courage, bravery etc. Piri represents the spiritual aspect of life and the feminine virtues such as compassion, humility, love, service etc. It is the natural combination of body and soul… The ultimate goal of every living … thing is to live and exist at its best and to perish whilst serving others. The concept of social order in Sikhism is that of egalitarian society laced with ethical divinity. Unlike other major religions of the world, it (Sikhi) does not confine itself to spirituality only but also deals with the social, economic, and political aspects of life as well. The Sikh religion is the art of living a flower-like life; a life of fullness, a life of vigour, vitality and valour; a life of selfless service and a life of sacrifice for others. One has to lead a purposeful cosmic life like a flower which germinates grows, blossoms and emits its fragrance, sweetness and happiness all around selflessly. One has to devote one’s life to the service of the people since service of the people is the service of the God. Service of His creation is the best way of working in harmony with the divine Will…. Gurdwaras are spiritual laboratories where service is actually practiced as a daily routine in order to prepare for the service of the whole of mankind. …an equipoise of earth-awareness and God-consciousness; it represents the Sikh ideal of bhakti and shakti; the Saint-Soldier, it is the equilibrium between humility and martial spirit, a balance between attachment and detachment, a balanced development of body and spirit.     

East/West : Question of identity 

As Sikhs we are never sure whether it is ‘cool’ to act like a Westerner (white man or black American) or an Easterner (Indian?). We get swayed by ‘peer pressure’ and feel a need to be ‘cool’ by smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, being a ‘party animal’, going clubbing/pubbing, listening to ‘pop’ music hanging around in supermarkets/shopping centres, wearing scanty clothes (girls) and grossly over-sized clothes (guys), wearing ear-rings/nose-rings (boys and girls) and walking like American-African pop stars and giving high-fives. Some even having Mohawk hairstyles and dye their hair in screaming colours.

We think we are ‘cool’ if we listen to loud ‘bhangra’ music, look like Shahru Khan or Madhuri Dixit did in their latest movie and keep up-to-date with the most recent Bollywood gossip and movies.

THE quick answer to all the above is to BE A ‘COOL’ KHALSA! Do your ‘own thing’ and be proud of it. Find your own ‘Sikh’ identity.

Below is a generalized comparison and an insight of the philosophical differences in attitude between Western and Eastern trends. What is the ideal?  YOU DECIDE.

EASTERN                                                   WESTERN

The love of Life is the ideal                            Conquest is the goal

Poverty – a sign of spiritual elevation              Poverty is a sign of degradation

Austerity & renunciation                                Gracious and elegant living and enjoyment

Accept the world as it is                                Try to change it for the better

Selfless service                                              Charity and Professional Services

Passive, like to contemplate                           Active, like to act

Live in time, always at rest                            Live in space, always on the move

Live in peace with nature                              Impose one’s will on nature

RELIGION !!!                                             SCIENCE !!!

Contemplate on meaning of life                     Physics, proof !

Freedom of Silence, meditation                     Freedom of Speech, Articulation

Marry first, then fall in love                           Love first, then marry

Marriage -  beginning of love affair               Marriage – happy end of a romance

Marriage is a dissoluble bond                        Marriage is a contract

Love is mute, concealed                                Love is vocal, public

Taught from the cradle to want less’n’less     Urged every day to want more and more

In the sunset years, renounce the world &     Retire to enjoy the fruits of a life of

Prepare for the hereafter                               Labour and wealth accummulation

SOME REFLECTIONS ON MEDITATION 

·        One should be in meditation most of the time – and this can be made a condition of our minds. Meditation can take place in a bus, in a tram, in a train; walking in the park; or even looking at the faces of loved ones.

·        Meditation is constant. It is a technique unique to each individual. It cannot really be learnt from anyone else. It is personal. No one else except YOU can teach yourself how to still your mind. Not even rishis, munnis, prophets, gurus, priests and other purveyors of religion.

·        Seeking experiences is just a form of gratification to hookwink oneself, but it is NOT meditation.

·        Trying to force the mind to be quiet and still is not meditation. Concentration or rigidly held postures makes it difficult to enter into constant awareness which is beyond imagination or desire.

·        Meditation is not separate from daily life. It is part and parcel of life.

·        True meditation does not depend on a particular posture or attitude.

·        While meditating all that is required is total attention to whatever is that we are saying, doing or thinking.

·        What is required is consciously to be in the PRESENT moment. There is no past, no future – only NOW.

·        Let us simply watch our mind and body without judging, assessing or even trying to understand. Then the mind becomes naturally quiet and silent, without controlling or suppressing.

·        In meditation there is no success nor failure

·        When you can experience timelessness, then living takes on a different meaning.

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS 

Ancient teachers knew that certain words attract blessings, gave power, brought release from illness and instilled courage, strength and comfort.The ancient teachers chose their students on two disciplines. They had to prove their selflessness and love for humanity (sewa). Music is played externally but realized internally. The past cannot be changed but the future is being shaped by our current thoughts and words. When we emit words that relate to our thoughts, our future is being shaped. We are what our thoughts are. So, putting oneself in a positive frame of mind (Cherdhi Kala) through ‘naam simran’ brings us spiritual and material well-being.  

TRIVIA Occuring in SGGS… (the universality of SGGS) 

Allah/Alle, Alhe refering to Allah = 20 times

Waheguru/Wahaguru/Wahgur etc. referring to Waheguru = 8 times

Har/ Har Har / Hari / Hare / even Har-jan refering to Hari/Har = 5885 times

Ram = 1405 times

Satnaam = 38 times, mostly in headings of shabads otherwise only 7 times in Shabads

Maan/man/ = 5052 times 

Naam = 5172  (Namay – which also refers to Bhagat Naam Dev) = 5999 in total