Simran and the importance of Naam.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

This week's topic is Simran, literally translated to "remembrance" but it is often referred to in Gurbani in the context of meditation and chanting Naam. To do Simran, is to meditate on Waheguru and contemplate the truth, through doing this you are able to experience Akaal Purakh and connect to the one eternal creator.

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj writes:

Simar simar simar sukẖ pā▫i▫ā. 
Meditating, meditating, meditating in remembrance, I have found peace. 
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 202)

By meditating on the one true constant, we are able to achieve mukti (liberation) and we are released from the cycle of reincarnation so we can finally absorb back into our creator, just as rain drops do with the ocean. We are rain drops, and Waheguru is the ocean. We have been separated from the truth and this life has been given to us to work towards merging back with Akaal Purakh. This life has been gifted to us after 8.4 million reincarnations, so it is vital that we realise this truth and that we make the most of this opportunity which Maharaj has gifted to us.

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj writes:

Lakẖ cẖa▫orāsīh fer pa▫i▫ā mar jammai ho▫e kẖu▫ār. 
They go through the cycle of 8.4 million reincarnations, and they are ruined through death and rebirth. 
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 88)

So how can we implement Naam into our lives and how can we start doing Simran if we haven't so already? Through my own experiences, the best way to start is to wake up at Amrit Vela (usually described as the period of time between 3am and 6am) and to start by doing Waheguru Simran for 1 minute, and once you are comfortable with that you can gradually increase the time which you are meditating for. 

Naam is the key to mukti, and has many other benefits to the mind, but there are many other aspects to living a life in line with Gurmat (the Guru's teachings), by starting small we can open up a new path for ourselves and learn as we go along. Thank you for reading this first blog.

Bhul chuk maaf karni (forgive me for my many mistakes).

- Daas

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