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Naam Simran ... The Way of the Sikh:
Letter & Spirit # 19
YUKTANAND SINGH
Translated from Bhai Vir Singh's ‘Gurmukh Sikhia’
PART X
Only naam helps us during a difficulty.
In a situation where no one provides any support and where family and friends abandon us, my Lord Master had mercy and said, “jaa kao muskal ath banay …” [GGS:70] - “When you are confronted with terrible hardship and no one offers you any support; when your friends turn into enemies, and even your relatives have deserted you, when all support has given way, all hope has been lost - if you come to remember the Supreme Lord God, then even the hot wind shall not touch you.”
I knew a dear gurmukh Sikh. He was an engineer in the department of irrigation. He had received a seed of naam from some gurmukh and he had cultivated it quite a bit. But due to some past karam, some officers in his department did not get along with him to the extent that they tried to defame him and get him dismissed by framing him with crime.
His inner support was not yet established. His faith was shaken. Out of fear of disrepute and shame he decided to commit suicide. He went to a canal. But as he took his coat off and was ready to jump into the deep water, the naam surfaced from his inner depth.
When naam moved his lips, he felt the presence of Waheguru. He remembered, “The Guru is with me, always very near to me” [GGS:394]. His mind changed as soon as he remembered this. Our Lord Master, our protector, came along with naam.
When the naam was restored in his heart, he said “I am honest. I have done nothing wrong. Why should I fear?“ He remembered, “Someone who lives in sin lives in fear, one who lives truthfully always rejoices” [GGS: 84].
So, the Singh Sahib started uttering “Waheguru … Waheguru!”
He felt the presence of eternity. His spirit was lifted out of the negativity. The fear that had led him to commit suicide was eliminated. By leaning on naam he became fearless.
He regained his peace. He could then realize his mistake and thanked the true Guru. At the same time, his enemies were also exposed. Their conspiracy did not succeed.
Thus, naam did not let even the hot wind touch him.
Our youth and beauty, wealth and collections, none of these go with us. Only the simran of naam goes with us. After death we find the wealth of naam that we had accumulated here.
There is nothing else like naam. Gurbani and naam are invaluable gifts from Guru Nanak. Gurbani takes us into naam and naam bestows absorption into Waheguru. All learning and all philosophies are left behind when we leave this world.
Prayer for the sake of those who have passed on brings them peace. It helps their soul. This is a spiritual principle. Each departed soul needs prayer from the loved ones who are left behind. Even an enlightened sant benefits from such prayer.
The Third Master, Guru Amar Das, also gave this hukam: 'antay satgur bole-aa mai picchai keertan kareyoh' - “ … When I’m gone, do the immaculate kirtan in praise of the Lord …” [GGS:923].
December 7, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: G Singh (United Kingdom), December 07, 2012, 10:07 AM.
Another inspiring article! I feel like meditating ... Ideally speaking, what you have written is good. But I think in reality this is where things go sour - most people in a difficult situation do not feel the presence of God, rather they try to find a way out within what they can do. I don't think things are so black and white - what you have described above is only for a few people, the rest of the world is suffering and God wants it that way as it's his play. He has created the forces of maya which then overpower us and we do what we do. He has created the pious people who do what they do. Can we really say, do simran and you will be saved from difficulty? It all depends if God wants to save you ... I find we are trying to sell this miracle type of thing in religion, i.e., the reality being, there are as many miracles as there are those who suffering, no more and no less. I would like you to provide some thoughts on what I have written.
2: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA..), December 07, 2012, 12:19 PM.
Naam is not a mechanical process. It has to be nourished by practice, generally through the Guru's Word, so that it grows up into a limitless power. Word is gurbani but it is nothing except the naam in concrete form. Naam and the Word are identified as the Word in our Scripture, the Guru Granth.
3: Yuktanand Singh (USA), December 07, 2012, 5:22 PM.
Gurbani says that naam simran always helps us, regardless of our own state, and that God always wants to save us. But the trouble is that we are often unable to lean on God. This is why we need to practice it. It is also difficult to do naam simran when extreme distress has paralyzed our faculties. But, naam simran, or calling on Waheguru who is always here with us, is never futile. It is never lost, just the same as money saved is useful during a financial loss. As shown in the example above, the naam we accumulate rescues us during a difficult time when we may be unable to do simran. Daily practice also makes it easier to do naam simran even when we are disturbed. Naam can do wonders but the failure lies in us, not in naam.
4: Yuktanand Singh (USA), December 07, 2012, 5:24 PM.
Sometimes the straight-forward approach is too simplistic. It may even appear ridiculous to us. For example, Sant Naranjan Singh ji once shared about how a certain gurmukh used to explain the need of kesh (hair) to him: "When a Sikh is drowning in his sins, his hair floats to the surface. The Guru can easily grab him from his hair and thus pull him out!" I had difficulty understanding its meaning. But the meaning of a true sant's statement is often hidden. The above metaphor is a good example of how, when we do what the Guru tells us to do, the practice comes to our rescue during a difficulty.
5: Yuktanand Singh (USA), December 07, 2012, 5:25 PM.
The confusion often arises from forgetting that the Guru has never told us to do any mechanical chanting. Chanting of a word cannot do miracles. Naam simran is not just some mechanical chanting of a word. We have tried to explain this in these articles.
6: R.S. Minhas (Millburn, New Jersey, USA), December 07, 2012, 5:36 PM.
We have bumper stickers saying "God is my co-pilot". Interesting that the driver still wants to be the main pilot. So if the car goes to the wrong place, blame the co-pilot! It is like we want a conditional guarantee from the co-pilot. On the other hand, if we hitch our wagons to God, then by definition, we should be safe no matter what - otherwise why should we call it God? The latter approach is a matter of faith. Hitching wagons to self-created lesser gods (idols, 'godmen', success, money, fame, people, etc.) is a setup for pain and suffering in due course. Self-created lesser gods get bumped around by the Big Boss - The One and Only. It is bound to get rough as God's canvas goes beyond our limits. Just like the US currency bill that says "In God We Trust", but its value fluctuates with exchange rates ... being imperfect, our faith wavers depending on situation. But I am not an expert in these matters and have struggled with this. So ultimately is it a matter of perception and faith? (I wish someone can answer that please.)
7: Tejinder Pal Singh (Houston, Texas, USA), December 07, 2012, 9:17 PM.
R.S. Minhas ji: These are complex topics and can't be explained by someone who does not do naam-simran himself and not reached a state of sehaj. I would point you to read "Bandagiinama" by Raghbir Singh Bir http://www.globalgurmat.com/resources/books-2/bhai-raghbir-singh-bir/ Another book I would recommend by the same author is "Simran Mahima" to understand what is naam simran and how it helps one in life.
8: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), December 08, 2012, 1:33 PM.
Naam simran cannot be done mechanically ... it has to involve emotion and connect with the understanding of what the Creator is ...
9: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA.), December 08, 2012, 4:55 PM.
The practice of naam simran creates a condition in which looking inwards -- that is, introspection -- becomes a habit. When the human mind is freed from external objects and turns inwards, it discovers the realm of bliss by overcoming all limitations that physical existence entails. Nothing tempts again: emotional outbursts or shallow distractions go away permanently.
10: Gurinder Singh (Stockton, California, USA), December 08, 2012, 8:45 PM.
Naam simran is a practical exercise; mere theories can't explain it. It is the very essence of Sikh teachings. Thank you, Dr Yuktanand Singh ji, for summing it up so well.
11: Satpal Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), December 10, 2012, 9:11 AM.
Yuktanandji, so beautifully put. May we never forget to naam juppo.
12: R.S. Minhas (Millburn, New Jersey, USA), December 10, 2012, 11:21 AM.
Thanks you, Yuktanand ji, Tejinder Pal Singh ji and the other valuable comments, sharing insights and pointers. Thank you.
13: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA..), December 10, 2012, 3:58 PM.
"Chhotta" naam simran: "Satnaam Satnaam Satnaam Ji, Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Ji." It should be sung in your mind all the time (getting up, sitting, standing and sleeping). Only in mind, not loudly. In the same standard manner all granthis sing in gurdwaras during the parshad distribution after the hukam.
14: Sabbar Singh (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada), November 13, 2014, 12:47 PM.
Very good ... a blessing to my Jeev-Atma (soul).