Saturday, June 17, 2006

Sangat (Congregation)

(Ang 10)
ਜੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਰਿਣ ਸੰਗਿਤ ਨਹੀ ਆਏ ਿਧ੍ਰਗੁ ਜੀਵੇ ਿਧ੍ਰਗੁ ਜੀਵਾਿਸ ॥੩॥
jo sathigur suran sungath nehee aaeae dhrig jeevae dhrig jeevaas
Those who have not sought the Sanctuary of the True Guru and the Sangat, the Holy Congregation-cursed are their lives, and cursed are their hopes of life. 3

Guru sahib is telling us in this Shabad if we do not recognize Shabad as being our true Guru and the Sangat in which are infused in Naam, cursed are our lives and cursed are the hopes of life. This is a slap in our face by Guru sahib.

(Ang 10)
ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਿਜਤੁ ਹਿਰ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਿਮਿਲ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਰਗਾਿਸ ॥੪॥੪॥
dhun dhunn suthusungath jith har rus paaeiaa mil jun naanuk naam purugaas
Blessed, blessed is the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, where the Lord's Essence is obtained. Meeting with His humble servant, O Nanak, the Light of the Naam shines forth. 44

Only that Sangat is called the true Sangat where the essence of the Lords Name shines forth, no other Sangat is known as the true and pure Sangat. This Sangat will only be blessed to us with Guru Sahibs Kirpaa only if we hold the desire of meditating on the Lords Name within our hearts.

(Ang 10)
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਜੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਿਮਲੇ ਸੁ ਤਿਰਆ ॥
maerae maadho jee suthusungath milae s thariaa
O my Dear Lord of souls, one who joins the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, is saved.

Guru Sahib is saying one who joins the true congregation of Naam will be liberated from this World no other soul will be liberated. Souls will come and go until they receive the blessing of Guru Sahibs Ammrit, Rehit and Naam, only then will they be liberated. We as Gursikhs do not realize how fortunate we are, we have been blessed with Ammrit Naam, it doesn’t take a genius to work out how many life forms we have been through to receive the blessing of Ammrit Naam, Guru Sahib says in Gurbaanee only blessed ones receive the Ammrit of Naam.

(Ang 22)
ਕੀਮਤਿ ਿਕਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਿਰਦ ਮਾਣਕ ਮੋਿਲ ਅਮੋਿਲ ॥੧॥
keemath kinai n paaeeai ridh maanuk mol amol
No one has found the worth of the ruby of the heart; its value cannot be estimated. 1

ਭਾਈ ਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਹੀਰਾ ਗੁਰ ਮਾਿਹ ॥
bhaaee rae har heeraa gur maahi
O Siblings of Destiny, the Diamond of the Lord is within the Guru. ]

ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਿਹਿਨਿਸ ਸਬਿਦ ਸਲਾਿਹ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
suthusungath suthugur paaeeai ahinis subadh sulaahi
The True Guru is found in the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation. Day and night, praise the Word of His Shabad. 1Pause

In this Shabad Guru Sahib is saying, no one has found the ruby of the heart (Vahiguroo). Gods value cannot be estimated, the diamond of the Lord can only be received from the true Guru (Shabad-Guru).

The True Guru is found in the Sat Sangat, Guru Sahib is referring to God being the True Guru, to become one with God we have to praise the Shabad Vahiguroo with every breath within the Sangat. When we are separated from physical Sangat, Guru Sahibs Shabad becomes our Sat Sangat, (true Sangat). Without the name we cannot live, just like a Fish cannot live without Water, a Gursikh will die through the separation of Naam.

(Ang 29)
ਵਡੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਸਤਸੰਗਿਤ ਪਾਈ ਹਿਰ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਹਿਜ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥੨॥
vuddai bhaag suthusungath paaee har paaeiaa sehaj anundh
By great good fortune, I found the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation; I have found the Lord, with intuitive ease and ecstasy. 2

ਸੋ ਸਾਧੂ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਸੋਈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸਾਏ ॥
so saadhoo bairaagee soee hirudhai naam vusaaeae
That person is a Holy Saadhu, and a renouncer of the world, whose heart is filled with the Naam.

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਲਾਿਗ ਨ ਤਾਮਸੁ ਮੂਲੇ ਿਵਚਹੁ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਏ ॥
anthar laag n thaamus moolae vichuhu aap guvaaeae
His inner being is not touched by anger or dark energies at all; he has lost his selfishness and conceit.

As mentioned above only through great fortune and many reincarnations does one find the Sat Sangat, that person becomes a great Saint who renounces the World through the lords Name, one always lives in positive energies, negativity does not come close to the inner being of ones heart in which is filled with Naam.

(Ang 30)
ਪੋਤੈ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਿਤਨ ਸਤਸੰਗਿਤ ਮੇਲਾਇ ॥੧॥
pothai jin kai punn hai thin suthusungath maelaae
Those who have the treasure of goodness join the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation. 1

Those who are blessed with virtue by Guru Sahib join the true congregation of Naam, Guru Sahib has created this amazing game, where he will make people what they are, without people realizing who the doer really is. Guru Sahib blesses people with virtue on the other hand people will be full of vice, Guru Sahib makes people rich on the other hand people will struggle through poverty, Guru Sahib blesses us with the fruit of Naam, on the other hand Naam will not settle in the minds of some. This is all to do with how pure our hearts are, and our previous Karam (deeds), however this does not give us the excuse to not put the udham (effort) in to Japping Naam.

(Ang 1244)
ਨਿੰਮੁ ਿਬਰਖੁ ਬਹੁ ਸੰਚੀਐ ਅੰਿਮ੍ਰਤ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ninm birukh buhu suncheeai anmrith rus paaeiaa
You can water a bitter neem tree with ambrosial nectar.

ਬਿਸੀਅਰੁ ਮੰਿਤ੍ਰ ਿਵਸਾਹੀਐ ਬਹੁ ਦੂਧੁ ਪੀਆਇਆ ॥
biseear munthr visaaheeai buhu dhoodh peeaaeiaa
You can feed a venomous snake lots of milk.

ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅਭਿੰਨੁ ਨ ਿਭਜਈ ਪਥਰੁ ਨਾਵਾਇਆ ॥
munumukh abhinn n bhijee puthur naavaaeiaa
The self-willed manmukh is resistant; he cannot be softened. You might as well water a stone.

ਬਿਖੁ ਮਿਹ ਅੰਿਮ੍ਰਤੁ ਿਸੰਚੀਐ ਿਬਖੁ ਕਾ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
bikh mehi anmrith sincheeai bikh kaa ful paaeiaa
Irrigating a poisonous plant with ambrosial nectar, only poisonous fruit is obtained.

ਨਾਨਕ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਮੇਿਲ ਹਿਰ ਸਭ ਿਬਖੁ ਲਿਹ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੧੬॥
naanuk sungath mael har subh bikh lehi jaaeiaa
O Lord, please unite Nanak with the Sangat, the Holy Congregation, so that he may be rid of all poison. 16

Vahiguroo in this Shabad Guru Sahib explains the importance of Sangat, Guru Sahib says the human mind is so filthy it cannot be cleansed, softened or rid from its ego until it comes in to Sangat. Those Gursikhs who think they don’t need Sangat and can conquer the filthy mind without doing Sangat will fail and suffer through personal ego. The Gurmukh Japs Naam and stays Nimaanaa (humble) to the Sangat no matter what Avasthaa (spiritual stage) one reaches. Guru Sahib has given the Sangat a great deal of respect even if it is what a lot of Gursikhs call, everyday Sunday Divaan Aam (normal) Sangat. We still need to stay Nimaane and may be one will change through the presence of a Gursikh attending Divaans.

(Ang 35)
ਆਪਣਾ ਭਉ ਤਿਨ ਪਾਇਓਨੁ ਿਜਨ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਿਰ ॥
aapunaa bho thin paaeioun jin gur kaa subudh beechaar
Those who contemplate the Word of the Guru’s Shabad are filled with the Fear of God.
ਸ਼ਤਸੰਗਤੀ ਸਦਾ ਮਿਿਲ ਰਹੇ ਸਚੇ ਕੇ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਿਰ ॥
suthusunguthee sudhaa mil rehae suchae kae gun saar
They remain forever merged with the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation; they dwell upon the Glories of the True One.

ਧੁਬਿਧਾ ਮੈਲੁ ਚੁਕਾਈਅਨੁ ਹਿਰ ਰਾਿਖਆ ਉਰ ਧਾਿਰ ॥
dhubidhaa mail chukaaeean har raakhiaa our dhaar
They cast off the filth of their mental duality, and they keep the Lord enshrined in their hearts.

Those Gurmukhs who have done Sangat with Naam Abhiyaasee Gurmukhs will know the feeling of separation when they depart. Once we have experienced this Sangat it becomes a Drug and it is very difficult to let go, the Gurmukh just wants it to last forever, however unfortunately we are all living householder lives and somewhere along the line one has to depart. There is no Sat Sangat where the lords Name does not abide even if we are talking to Gursikhs. If we are talking about the Lord this is also known as Sangat in Gurbaanee, even if it is not with a Gursikh, as long as we are sharing the qualities of Gods wisdom this is known as Sat Sangat.

(Ang 1300)
ਕਥੀਐ ਸੰਤਸੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਿਗਆਨੁ ॥
kutheeai sunthusung prubh giaan
Speak of God's Wisdom in the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation.


There are many types of Sangats most of them according to Guru Sahib have to be avoided.

MANMUKHA DI SANGAT, Doing Sangat with humans who are totally led by their mind is a no no in Sikhee. This can be very dangerous for a Gursikh, one who falls in this trap will totally suffer in life physically and spiritually, as these people have nothing in common with our Rehit, roop, and cannot guide us spiritually. However the circumstance would be slightly different if the Gurmukh doing Sangat with the Manmukh was an Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyasee, this individual would be more spiritually powerful than the Manmukh and would be a lot more Jaagrat (aware) of all negative vibes coming from the Manmukh, plus the Gurmukh would only ever talk about God, as this is the name the Gurmukh is repeating within ones innerself. This would either create the Manmukh to change spiritually, or totally avoid the Sangat of the Gurmukh. However in general Gursikhs avoid any type of close contact with any being in which drives them away from God, this is the reason most Gurmukhs keep themselves to themselves, this prevents any mind pollution, helps keep full concentration on Naam, help us not to judge others, and live in Bhaanaa (the will), the World seems a mere play to such Gurmukh.

ਜਿਉ ਲੋਹਾ ਤਿਰਓ ਸੰਿਗ ਕਾਸਟ ਲਿਗ ਸਬਿਦ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਿਰ ਪਾਵੈਗੋ ॥੨॥
jio lohaa thariou sung kaasutt lag subadh guroo har paavaigo
As iron is carried across if it is attached to wood, one who is attached to the Word of the Guru's Shabad finds the Lord. 2

ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸੰਤ ਿਮਲਹੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਿਤ ਿਮਿਲ ਸੰਗਿਤ ਹਿਰ ਰਸੁ ਆਵੈਗੋ ॥
sungath sunth miluhu suthusungath mil sungath har rus aavaigo
Joining the Society of the Saints, joining the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, you shall come to receive the Sublime Essence of the Lord.

ਬਿਨੁ ਸੰਗਿਤ ਕਰਮ ਕਰੈ ਅਿਭਮਾਨੀ ਕਿਢ ਪਾਣੀ ਚੀਕੜੁ ਪਾਵੈਗੋ ॥੩॥
bin sungath kurum kurai abhimaanee kat paanee cheekurr paavaigo
But not joining the Sangat, and committing actions in egotistical pride, is like drawing out clean water, and throwing it in the mud. 3
Ang 1308


SOCIALIZING WITH GURSIKHS; it is ok to an extent, but this is not what Sangat is about, Guru Sahib says in Gurbaanee anything in which is a hindrance to meditating on Naam should be avoided. Daas has seen many Gursikhs in Kirtan programs wasting time in Langar halls one will not be liberated by doing so. In reality Daas' personal view and experience if one wants to build a great Naam Abhiyassee Jeevan and continue to develop spiritually one has to avoid the social circle of Gursikhs. In reality what happens? We go to Gursikhs Houses, talk a bit about Gurmat and usually without realizing spend most our time in idle gossip and chat. Naam has not been repeated for a few hours, but one has experienced great Kan Ras (taste for ears), which will cause one to do the Sangat of these Gursikhs regularly. We are empty inside when we experience the various Indreeaan they Ras (eyes, ears, tongue) etc we enjoy it and naturally want more, when we naturally want more of worldly Ras we loose the Universes largest power Naam Ras.

Only the one name will liberate the Soul, purify this filthy mind full of many thoughts and desires from many life times, only the one name will open the tenth gate and develop contact with the 3 Worlds, only the one name will gain one honor and respect, only the one name will find us the lotus feet of Guru Sahib.

In reality Guru Sahib has said in Gurbaanee there is only one Sangat in which will liberate this filthy mind, and this is the Sangat of Shabad. There will come a time for many individuals where one will struggle to find Sangat, at this time only the power of the Lords name will pull us through and keep our minds strong on the path of Gurmat.

What exists? THE ONE NAME AND NOTHING ELSE. FROM THE ONE NAME EVERYTHING WAS CREATED.

(Ang 71)
ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥
suthusungath kaisee jaaneeai
How is the Society of the Saints to be known?

ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥
jithai eaeko naam vukhaaneeai
There, the Name of the One Lord is chanted.

ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਿਰ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥
eaeko naam hukum hai naanuk sathigur dheeaa bujhaae jeeo
The One Name is the Lord's Command; O Nanak, the True Guru has given me this understanding. 5

_+_+_Next weeks article is Without Naam._+_+_

10 Comments:

Blogger Sifar said...

Guru Piyareyoo....

Truth very nicely put in the guidance of Gurbani. There should be no question but only to practise what is said in Gurbani.

WaheGuru jeeoo...

8:08 AM  
Blogger Sifar said...

Guru Piyareyoo....

For the last 4 to 5 days I was trying to access your blog but my computer will only show all white screen with URL in the Internet Explorer. Just thought will let you know when I'm able to get to your blog.

Chardi Kala...

10:40 AM  
Blogger Gupt Wannabe Naam Abhiyaasee said...

Also experienced the same so will keep the sangat post on for another week, thanks for letting daas know.

5:03 AM  
Blogger Tejinder said...

Satnaam waheguru.

6:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have a question regarding a past post. I'm just posting it here b/c I don't know if you would see it under an older post.

you mentioned that we should stay away from Sukh Nindra (Peaceful sleep/Bismaadh) during Amrit Vela. Is this the same thing as samedhi? How can I tell if it is sukh nindra or samedhi?


Singh.

11:37 AM  
Blogger Gupt Wannabe Naam Abhiyaasee said...

sukhnindra is peaceful sleep when you come out of this you will feel tired, your head will drop, you will not hear the shabad and you might also dream, it is a peaceful sleep with no progression.

smadhee is a fully focused mind on naam. many hours can pass before coming out of this state, it is a state of peaceful emptiness.

one will realize the difference when experienced both, smadhee will only come through blessing from guru sahib and intense naam abhiyaas through single minded concentration.

1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how do you avoid sukh nindra? a singh das knows, starts to shake while doing simran, is this normal, why does this occur? any idea?

1:46 PM  
Blogger Gupt Wannabe Naam Abhiyaasee said...

itis very difficult to avoid sukhnindra, the only way it can be avoided is when guru sahib blesses us with total single minded concentration on shabad, this is when the dhiaan (concentration) reaches the higher consciousness in the head area, (please refer to naam drug and rom rom articles. When one reaches this stage the energy inside ones body is overwhelming and one will not fall into the trap of sukh nindra. The only way to beat this trap is to keep full dhiaan in shabad, be aware of sleep and meditate athai pehar, with guru sahibs blessing one will go past the stage of sukhnindra in amritvela.

the shaking of the body whilst meditating is nothing to worry about it happens every so offen, this is a physical form of ras through shabad.

6:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh
Veer jee is right in saying that when the mind if fully attuned to the Shabad then it is hard for that Naam Raaseeiya to go into SukhNindra but Daas himself has seen Gursikhs who enjoy the most highest level of spirituality fall asleep at Amritvelas, Rensbhais etc. Tell you the truth Bhai Sahib Rama Singh states that it took him 15 years of an Abhiyaasi Jeevan to get out of SukhNindhra, he said after 15 years Guru Sahib blessed him with Udham of avoiding sleep at Amritvela. Daas himself can't resist SukhNindra sometimes. This is all to do with what the body can stand, some Gursikhs can go days and days without sleep (this is what Daas has seen with his own eyes) but other Gursikhs fall asleep easily. One Naam rasseiya Daas knows was even falling asleep whilst driving hehe.
But we shouldn't let this hinder us, in our lower level spirituality we will have alot of faults but we can't stop doing Abhiyaas because of this or else we won't get anywhere in life. Without Naam our life will be burned to ashes.
This is only what Daas thinks. Sorry if it doesn't go according to Gurmat. Please teach Daas if I said anything wrong.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh

7:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh,
my question is...what if one sits during amritvela to do simran but the moment one closes their eyes the next thing one knows is that long hours have passed by...what is this?....one does not always feel tired or sleepy but very active and sometimes tired and sleepy....

2:15 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Please search the ARCHIVES section for more posts