Sunday, May 15, 2011

Meditating via Simran

I love guru ji, but I too have my highs & lows.
For the last little while, I have experienced both & I want to journal the miracles in these moments!


I have been blown away and stomped all over by Kaam, Krodh, Lobh Moh, Ahankaar- I knew I always was a Sloth and had bad qualities and practices like excessive Gluttony (which is Kaam in itself) ! I am a real shopaholic, eating, wanting, liking, travelling, consuming more than I should! Krodh has also been one- off & on, but quite destructive when on. Ego is always the biggest one for me. However, I still consider myself quite sober, compared to who and what I was when Guru Ji was not in my life, which is good, but...
My encounter with Kaam, was once again in, what I call 'thought crime'. It was something different- something internal, trying to corrupt my mind, thoughts, besides the gluttony aspect of Kaam. Interesting, b/c those were the kind of thoughts I would have been executing if I wasn't trying to discipline myself on this path- another learning experience indeed!


So that was the low, but Guru ji loves me too dearly to leave me in a scary state of mind and to let me burn in guilt! He really does, Guru ji has His ways. The moment I start thinking that I am not fit for aiming at His Charan Kamal, He gets me out of the 'mental constipation'and puts me in 'mental diarrhea' LOL. *If you have been reading my journey for long enough, you might remember these terms- I call the state of mind when you are sick of toxic thoughts plugging in your mind as mental constipation; and release of toxic thoughts via meditation or Naam Simran as mental diarrhea. And then when you experience that bliss followed by "mental diarrhea kind of Simran" (a state of mind when you are making the effort the flush out the toxicity and instability via initial stages of Simran) is the stage where the Simran actually starts to give to the feeling of bliss, mind starts to find its home and flows freely with the chanting the Simran- then you often have this brief stage where you are in so much bliss that your dreams start to come true. Occasionally, you feel your head resting on someone's (I hope Guru Ji's) Charan Kamal or some visions appear in front of your eyes and you know that you are reconnected- you are a part of the divine.
If you know what I am talking about, Guru ji really has His ways. Doesn't He?


Well so the High was when for some reason, my Insomnia got triggered again (I Bet-ya Guru ji did that on purpose). I don't have a way to deal with sleeplessness other than meditating all night, or being the workaholic I am at night as well- for which if you know how insomnia works (you are tired but just can't fall asleep even after trying for hours) I was too tired to even think of doing some work. Hence Meditation (buddy, thats why I say Guru Ji is one tricky attention-seeking dude LOL- He is just overflowing with love! If I wouldn't give Him that attention, I'd only be doing evil to myself!).


Well, I'm writing this b/c a friend asked me, How do I meditate- no Secret buddy, and I'm no Yogi, I just wanna fall for Guru jee and never get up again LOL! Here's what I usually do:
I lay in bed, nice and comfee, and I do an ardaas I tell Guru ji that I love Him and that I am wasting my life here, I ask Him to please bless me with the love and thirst for his Charan Kamal. Then I either have some meditative tune or Simran going on my cell phone- I've also tried random Simran from Sikhnet Radio on my cell phone (works very well), so basically any Simran- or just chanting Waheguru on your own, and focusing on the Simran. Rest of the process is kind of automatic, I do not initiate anything- I just focus on the Simran- whether I am chanting or listening to a pre-recorded chant artist or Kirtanee. On focusing perfectly, long enough, your breath starts to slow down, become rhythmic and you start to chant with the rhythm of your breath. Just be open to miracles and believe in Guru ji with a whole hearted faith in that know that He loves you and will show you His love~ Don't think about random things this is the time to live with Guru ji in every breath. Interestingly, what follows if you're not too uptight about your thoughts- and just let your mind flow with the focus on Simran, is a real miracle. I'm sure it is very personal for most people, for me as well, bits and pieces of it I'm kind of paranoid to share, but I will not leave the story in the middle so here's some things I've experienced.
*Stability in Simran and rhythmic breathing. Empty mind, no influx of thoughts. Peaceful experience- I feel my head muscles relax, the top of my head gets really warm sometimes. Whether the eyes are open or closed, theres no vision of anything but this feeling of constant bliss.
*sometimes, it's different in that I feel satisfied- very satisfied with whatever it was that was bugging me at the first place (during the mental constipation stage). A few days ago in meditation, I felt a gush of satisfaction for whatever little of my spiritual practice I had done- (I had missed my Nitnem, only did Kirtan Sohila at night =( ) I felt thankful for that one bani I had read- new experience for me, b/c I am never satisfied with my spiritual practice =P
*At other times you feel like you are in a certain place, or are doing a certain specific thing. Example: a few days ago, I felt like I was in Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib (that has happened before as well & I have shared that story on this blog a while ago), I was at a specific spot in the Parikarma of the Gurudwara Sahib complex- as a child, when I visited the Harmandir Sahib, I actually remember that this was my favorite spot in the Parikarma!
about 2 days ago, in meditation I felt something really special, I was breathing rhythmically on the tune of a recorded Waheguru Simran and I felt my head and face relax, I was dipped in bliss. If I am recalling this correctly, I started feeling that I was swinging on a swing, wearing a long white skirt and my hair was open, & were swinging in the air. I felt Simran in my breath, as if I was swinging in the rhythm of the Simran as well. Then after a while of thoroughly enjoying the swing I was as if transformed into a white bird, I flew for a long while, I flew all over the sky, again in the rhythm of the Simran I flew as if I was looking for something... and then I flew around the Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, and sat on a tree, then I jumped into the Amrit Sarovar and (this might sound corny) was transformed into a fish, I swam all over the sarovar. But the entire time I felt that I was submerged in Amrit- and that I could swim in the Amrit Sarovar forever, and live my Amrit. Funny thing is, I was feeling before meditating that I didn't deserve Amrit and that I am still struggling to live the Amrit that Guru Ji blessed me with- which I am, for sure... but the feeling of being in the Sarovar full of Amrit and being submerged Amrit for one entire night was amazingly blissful and interesting to recollect!


I guess I love swings and fishes and white skirts LOL!


Thank You for being a part of my journey. Thank You for reading my Journal, I probably don't have much to share with you or inspire you with, but I surely love when I hear people saying that they like my blogs!
I pray however, that this doesn't ever become a source of Ego for me. I just mean to share what I have. I love my story, you know! or should I say the story of Guru ji's love =) yeah, I love the story of Guru Ji and his ways of making me realize that He loves me! And I hope that one day I can claim that I love Guru ji as well!
Wow -I'm such a hopeless Romantic! I love Guru ji, but can't claim (for real) that I do, until I see myself sacrificing everything for His beautiful, blissful Charan Sharan!
I pray that we all seek Guru Ji's Charan Kamal and please our beloved lord on our own life journeys sooner or later!


Love and Light!
*Hugs*


~Smile and let the world wonder why!


Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Wahgueru Ji Ki Fateh!

11 comments:

  1. Nice!

    Have you hear this song, I came to think of it when I read the bit about Harimander. In the last part of the song Snatam sings: "Bow your head and go home", I love that.

    http://www.sikhnet.com/audio/golden-temple-0

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  2. Wow! Thank You Har Anand! I had heard this before, maybe on Sikhnet radio while running some chores, without paying much attention. But I listened to it now, and yeah it is awesome! I loved the part towards the end, where she sang Dithe Sabe thaav/ Nahi(n)tudh Jaisa.... Ram Dass Sarovar Naate/ Sab Utre Paap Kamaate (Interestingly, Amrit Sarovar, is referred as Ram Dass Sarovar!)
    I felt in that moment again! Thank you so much Soul Sister! This was a blissful song to listen to. I'll perhaps try and meditate on "Dithe Sabe thaav, Nahi(n)tudh Jeha" (I looked everywhere, but didn't find anyone else like you!) if I find any kirtan on this Shabad.
    Thanks for sharing =)
    This makes me wanna go to Sachkhand Sri Harimandar Sahib Ji!
    *Hugs*

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  3. "I started feeling that I was swinging on a swing, wearing a long white skirt and my hair was open, & were swinging in the air."

    .....Please next time cover your head.

    " was swinging in the rhythm of the Simran as well. Then after a while of thoroughly enjoying the swing I was as if transformed into a white bird, I flew for a long while, I flew all over the sky, again in the rhythm of the Simran I flew as if I was looking for something... and then I flew around the Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, and sat on a tree, then I jumped into the Amrit Sarovar and (this might sound corny) was transformed into a fish, I swam all over the sarovar"

    ....Powerful Imagination!!

    Such imagination we can weave anytime..but when do simran.. we should "Hear" what we are uttering....that's all about Simran..

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  4. Oh Anonymous, how can what God gives to you during simran be wrong?

    I think you should let go of the judging of other peoples connection to God and just let the experience be... sometimes when we meditate gifts like this comes, but most often the meditation is the gift in it self.

    Just let go of the judgement all will be well.

    Be in bliss,

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  5. Oh My! (Excited to have gotten my first ever comment that sounds a bit like Constructive criticism in a little over 1 year! LOL)

    Ok, So
    @Anon: Dear Anonymous Bhaaji/Bhainji!
    I am thankful that you gave my journal entry a read! It really means a lot to me =)
    I think you are right in that I have a crazy powerful Imagination, but I thought this was my meditative mind- since if I were to sit here right now, & start weaving imaginary thoughts, they probably wouldn't be very nice...I don't know maybe I should try! It seems however, Simran is a debatable aspect of the life of any Sikh. To me, Simran is like Guru Ji Says: Antar Gur Aradhna Jehva Jap Gur Nao,
    Netri Satiguru Pekhna, Sravni Sun-na Gur Nao!

    I see why you'd like me to hear the Jaap during Simran. But this post is not on my technique for Simran, but how I try meditating (via Simran) & therefore resting- when I have insomnia & can't sleep, despite extreme tiredness :( ... It could be my imagination running wild, I don't know- only Guru Ji can pin down my experience with absolute accuracy! Sometimes even we don't know what we are experiencing... What do you think? Feel Free to e-mail me or hook me up with your technique to meditate &/or do Simran
    Thank You for your comment though =) I would appreciate any further communication on this issue. I apologize if I sound a bit cold/ unfriendly/ unwelcoming for your remark, I Promise I'm not
    =)

    @ HarAnand: Thank You Bhainji! You are adorable =) You are absolutely right in my opinion! I just stated an experience, and even I don't know why my hair was open in that instance, when I always have it up in a patka & can't even imagine it otherwise :P I love how you were on my side (no offense to the Anonymous Bro/sis) hehe, oh and I love the idea of not judging but thinking of this as an experience of ones personal connection with Guru Ji! You always extend love, and not judgement. This is adorable! <3 *Hugs* Thank You!

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  6. There is no technique to meditate...(It's simple - "Naam Japo , Kirt karo, Vaand chako")..

    In "Sukhmani Sahib" (at 24th Aastpadi, pada 5th), 5th guru - Guru Arjan Dev ji says "Prabh Ki Ustat Karahu Sant Meet, Saavdhaan Ekagar Cheet"..

    Q. What is "Ekagar cheet"?

    Ans. "with complete concentration" or simply "Concentration". Concentration -(Scientifically) "When mind and body do the same work or body supports what mind is doing, at a particular time".

    Simran is remembering "WaheyGuru" or "God" thorough "Gurbani" with clear mind by renouncing from "worldly or material things" and thoughts/imaginations and our planning for the day or life.

    If I'm listening to a audio tape on Gurbani and at the same time I'm washing my car..Am I doing "Simran" ...I believe I'm not.

    Similarly, weaving or constructing imaginations/thoughts/plans while doing Simran is not a "Simran". Let me quote , one more example..

    I recite Japji Sahib everyday, during entire "Japji Sahib Paath" ,I also goto "Harmandar Sahib" to offer my prayer and to take bath in "Amrit Sarovar". Now, can you tell what is the diffrence between your Simran and my Simran?

    In my Simran I didn't try to understand and concentrate on what guruji is saying in "Japji".

    Hope, I'm clear ..Bhainji :)

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  7. I missed..

    "Simran is like Guru Ji Says: Antar Gur Aradhna Jehva Jap Gur Nao,
    Netri Satiguru Pekhna, Sravni Sun-na Gur Nao!"..

    Meaning : "Remember God with utmost attention, love and devotion in mind (which should be kept under control and not allowed to wander). Utter God’s Name with the tongue (so that it could be heard).
    Visualise God’s presence within and around us. Hear God’s Name being uttered with faith and obey His Command.

    Visualise is not referring to Imagination..Experience Him within and around us.

    I got one weblink , may be informative:
    http://searchgurbani.com/

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  8. WJKK WJKF Anon Bhaaji/Bhainji!

    Thank You for getting back to me. You had some great insight- Thank You so much I really appreciate it all! Must be great that you get the chance to go to Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib every day of your life. You're so lucky =)
    I think though, that you didn't get the point I was trying to make: Like I said before, this post is not on my technique for Simran, but how I try meditating (via Simran) & therefore resting- when I have insomnia & can't sleep, despite extreme tiredness :( ... I admit that it could be my imagination running wild, I don't know- only Guru Ji can pin down my experience with absolute accuracy! In my opinion, meditating is all about clearing your minds mess (destructive thoughts) & experiencing your inner self, letting your sub conscious take over. It is not the 'Ekagar cheet' thing- but Simran is! Meditation & Simran are not always the same, but can be the same for some (people whose dhyaan is almost perfectly concentrative onto Guru Ji). Thats where I find, meditation helpful- you have to clear your mind from the 5 chors before you dive into Simran. If you cannot accomplish 'ekagar cheet' in Simran, you can meditate and clear your thoughts before you start doing Simran.
    Another thing is that- people such as yourself, probably can have a 100% concentration right away, 'Sehajey hi dhyaan lagna', but some of us who are not there yet have to fight our 5 chors, our bad thoughts before we can dive into Simran.

    However, I believe Simran should be done at least 1 hour every day- when you do repetitive recitation (Jaap) of any thing- Gurmantar, or any pankti that you love from Gurbani, just like Guru Ji prescribes:
    "Antar Gur Aradhna Jehva Jap Gur Nao,
    Netri Satiguru Pekhna, Sravni Sun-na Gur Nao!"

    I hope we are both making sense here to each other =)
    You had great insight and advice =)

    Take Care!
    Thanks once again =)

    WJKK WJKF

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  9. WJKK WJKF..Bhainji !!

    I'm Bhaaji....

    First of all, you're not clear whether you are interested in just "Meditation" or in "Simran" as both are different..you said--"this post is not on my technique for Simran, but how I try meditating (via Simran)".. My analysis says you're trying to Practice two things..."Yoga" and "Gurbani". If just meditation is your aim..then ignore whatever we’ve discussed above and don't read below :)

    Is there any shortcut to connect to "Guru"?
    I would advise to do a “Sehej Path” of “Guru Granth Sahib Ji” to know the answer or just consult with “Bhaaiji” from nearby “Gurudwara Sahib” (shortcut). I always prefer first one.

    When people say they are Meditating (Via Simran or Via "Yog/a") , it proves that they are trying shortcuts to "Guru". Guru Ji says do "Seva" and "Simran" to clear your mind/thoughts and to connect to "AkalPurakh". This will save you from 5 Chors.

    We're trying to kill the bad thoughts & 5 chors before diving into "Simran". If we can win this fight before diving into “Simran”- then there is no need of “Simran”!! Life is simple then!!

    You may already know a Story of “Bulle Shah”..

    Bulle Shah was Transplanting rice in his fields…someone asked him “Bulleya Rab da ki pauna”… means “ How to get or connect to God” ..Bulle Shah replied.. “ithone pat na , te Ethe launa”..means “disconnect from here and connect there”.

    We have to do the same thing.. we’ve to ignore 5 chors/thoughts and simply connect to “Simran” without any fight with these. Slowly and gradually, Simran will disconnect you from these 5 Chors and bad thoughts.

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  10. Well, Bhaaji! Thank you so much for investing your time in trying to uplift me.....
    That once again is great insight and Gyan. Thank you for sharing!

    By Simran I mean repetitive recitation (Jaap) of "Waheguru" or any Gurbani Tukk.
    Anyways, I appreciate all your insight and I thank you deeply for sharing your Gyaan.

    Thanks so much.

    WJKK WJKF
    Sri Akaal Purakh Ji Sahai!

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