Help with Daily Sikh Spiritual Routine - Sadhana

Ishna · #1 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2010, 12:54 PM

Hi everyone

Ang 305

ਮਃ ੪ ॥
Mėhlā 4.
Fourth Mehl:

ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/33184-help-daily-sikh-spiritual-routine-sadhana.html
Gur saṯgur kā jo sikẖ akẖā▫e so bẖalke uṯẖ har nām ḏẖi▫āvai.
One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.

ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥
Uḏam kare bẖalke parbẖāṯī isnān kare amriṯ sar nāvai.
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.

ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
Upḏes gurū har har jap jāpai sabẖ kilvikẖ pāp ḏokẖ lėh jāvai.
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.

ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33184
Fir cẖaṛai ḏivas gurbāṇī gāvai bahḏi▫ā uṯẖ▫ḏi▫ā har nām ḏẖi▫āvai.
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord's Name.

ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
Jo sās girās ḏẖi▫ā▫e merā har har so gursikẖ gurū man bẖāvai.
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food - that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind.

ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥
Jis no ḏa▫i▫āl hovai merā su▫āmī ṯis gursikẖ gurū upḏes suṇāvai.
That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate - upon that GurSikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed.

ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
Jan Nānak ḏẖūṛ mangai ṯis gursikẖ kī jo āp japai avrah nām japāvai. ||2||
Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. ||2||

Is this the only clear instruction on daily routine within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?

Is the meaning for one to bathe in water first, and then bathe in Naam? Or is bathing in Naam sufficient?

Where does the idea of bathing in cold water come from?

And lastly… what is your daily spiritual routine? What is your ideal daily spiritual routine?

I’m finding it difficult to establish a routine. I hope that by others sharing what they do, and what they’d like to do, in a non-judgmental environment, will give me (and hopefully others) ideas of how to establish routine.

I find that when I get up early, because it is not yet routine for me, everything feels strange and out-of-place. I don’t exactly know what to do with myself. Simple things – what to wear, what to do first, where to sit! Everything is different in the dark at 5am.

And what about your evenings? By the time I get home from work, go to the shop to buy groceries, cook something for tea, eat it, shower, I just feel like being a couch potato and then it’s time for bed!

Thanks
Ishna

findingmyway · #2 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2010, 19:55 PM

This shabad says to me that we should always remember Waheguru, starting in the morning as soon as we wake up. The reference to bathing shows it is important to also keep the body clean and look after it. the body is the vessel that allows us to connect with Waheguru so it is important to also keep it clean. The rules about when to do what are prescribed by SRM. However, the nitnem banis are a way of enhancing learning, remembering Waheguru and focussing the mind. The essence is to always remember God. Routine helps with discipline as most human's minds easily wander without discipline! Discipline also encourages a moral life. Hope that makes sense.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33184
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=33184
Jasleen