Images: details from photo by Gurumustuk Singh.
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Be Healthy, Clean & Rested ... The Way of the Sikh:
Letter & Spirit # 15
YUKTANAND SINGH
Translated from Bhai Vir Singh's ‘Gurmukh Sikhia’
PART VI
Some wise elders have left pointers on living for the practice of naam-simran.
One must get adequate sleep and be well rested. At least 7 to 8 hours of sleep is necessary. Science also supports this. Our body can engage in the spiritual toil only when it is healthy.
The food must be clean, and not heavy.
Take dietary precautions to avoid constipation.
Be sure to wash the hair at least once, preferably, twice a week.
Practice of contentment, dwelling on truth, and practice of sat-sangat are important.
Practice repeating the naam with the tongue (verbally). With passage of time the word is combined with the rhythm of breath and then it spontaneously turns into an unbroken act. This rosary of naam then continues with each breath, whether we sit awake or sleep.
Avoid the influence of evil spirits. They are lost and they wander on this earth. The gurmukhs help us protect ourselves against harm from these entities.
When a mind is in the ‘tamasik’ state -- one of the three states of mind: sattva (blissful), rajas (energetic), and tamas (slothful) -- we need to raise it to the energetic state. The mind can rise to bliss from energy, but it cannot rise directly from sloth to a state of bliss.
Keep the mind and sense organs naturally away from immoral acts and desires. Diet should be restricted to nourishing the body (not to fuel the sensual desires).
One who practices simran needs to stand on his own feet. He must reside within His will and renounce the imaginary world of fantasy and dreams.
A gurmukh is someone upon meeting whom we practice naam simran and the love for God is increased in us.
There are two kinds of gurmukhs: those who prefer solitude being engrossed their own improvement and those who practice naam themselves but also help others learn how to be in sat-sangat and imbibe them with the taste of naam.
Occasionally, by helping some rare soul reach perfection, they fulfill the aim of their own birth as well as have this goal available to the entire world.
November 7, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), November 07, 2012, 5:49 PM.
Yuktanand ji, may I load your plate a bit more. There is another book, "Parsanglian", wherein are the accounts of people who came in contact with Bhai Sahib Vir Singh ji- all first person accounts. Hope it is on your back burner.
2: Dr Dalbir Singh Shergill (Seremban, Malaysia), November 07, 2012, 10:24 PM.
This is beautiful and well said.
3: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA.), November 08, 2012, 6:00 AM.
Bhai Sahib is referring to a Sikh salok: "jinee naam dhi-aa-i-aa ga-ai maskat ghaal / Naanak tay mukh ujjlay kayti chhuti naal" - that is, when they (gurmukhs) contemplate upon naam, they succeed in their efforts and liberate themselves, and many more are liberated with them.
4: Harpreet Singh (Delhi, India), November 08, 2012, 2:23 PM.
Very refreshing article. Please publish more of such articles as we seem to be losing our way away from this basic requirement of Sikhi, which is so essential ... the loving recitation of Naam. It is indeed the best gift, the best medicine, the best friend we have. This book -- Gurmukh Sikhya -- is a must-read for all, especially Sikhs. We must facilitate its widespread availability through translation, etc.
5: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), November 08, 2012, 3:28 PM.
Might I add 'Gurmukh Jivan' and 'Sant Gaatha' as equally important additions to 'Gurmukh Sikhya'. These books are available online, and so is "Baba Naudh Singh" - a practical handbook on Sikhi, first published in 1907. My own copy, some 60 years old, then costing Rs. 3/- for a hard copy, is still my bedside copy. Thanks to sikhchic.com for highlighting Bhai Vir Singh ji's works.