#naam simran

Gurdwara Singh Sabha, A-1, Paschim Vihar

7-9PM Gurbani Kirtan ate Naam Simran

eaek adhaar naam naaraaeian, rasanaa raam raveejai. 

you know like, i'm absolutely no one to even speak of the concept or rass [uh, nectar?] of naam-japping but. it's something that has been on my mind lately. i used to be of the opinion that simran/meditation is awesome but it doesn't necessarily need to be a 'literal' repitition of the "Name" of Vaheguru...cuz like, really, Akaal has no real name and all that ish. 

but, after reading Bandagi Nama and as i continue my sehaj paath, i noticed the emphasis on 'naam' and japping naam and remembering the NAME. it's everywhere.

and then i started to think about it. and really... it's funny how often we do this without noticing but, in all instances where something extreme happens; be it sad or happy, scary or exciting, as Sikhs our first reaction is often "Vaheguruuu!!'

in that moment, we may not even be conscious of it, but we are remembering, honoring, paying respect to the greatness of what we call Vaheguru. we call upon Him for thanks, for support, for help, for love. eaek adhaar, naam naraaeian - the Name of the Lord is my one and only support... so how is He to be remembered and called upon? in one of my classes i once described it thus; a breeze has no smell, no sight, no sound (in itself, though you may hear the leaves ruffle or branches creek with the passing of a breeze)... but it is surely felt by all. so, when in communication we mention the word 'breeze', that very feeling and associated emotions of relief, coolness, freshness come to mind. in a similar fashion, while 'vaheguru' is only one of many names we give to the Timeless and Nameless - the Name in itself brings us to a place where His qualities are remembered, it elicits the very emotions that we know only His Name could ever elicit.

so that's unconscious, and it's natural. that's cool... so why would we do it consciously? i've recently started to try to do more simran consciously, and the tukh at the beginning really resonates. 'rasanaa raam raveejai' - with my rasanaa, with my tongue, i chant/sing the name of 'raam', vaheguru. 

to engage your tongue in speaking His Name, to engage your ears in hearing His Name, to engage your soul in feeling His Name - a full body/mind effort to repeat His Name - it is a sacred act. i have felt it to seem, once i allowed my mind's noise to cease, like a cry for His attention... a calling to your most inner Self, a calling to your Beloved, a calling to my Vaheguru - to come towards me, to become me and I to become Him. 

i imagine myself, sitting at His door, awaiting his answer..

it's perhaps easier to compare to something more tangible. imagine thus, Guru Nanak Maharaaj walking just on the horizon. close enough to see faintly but too far to touch. would we not call to him? would tears not fill our eyes and hearts as we called, Guru Jee, look this way, just for a second..? 

i've also felt it to be a reminder, a way to understand just the scope of His vadiaaee (greatness). sometimes upon simar-ing, history both ancient and recent comes to mind. how His true Servants were able to perform the greatest of acts; to live the most righteous, uplifting lives. the strength that was gained from His very name, from the sound acceptance and embrace of His extistence... mannai kee gat, kahee na jaae