Why do we do path or listen to path

ddhillon · #1 (**permalink**) 10-Jan-2006, 11:18 AM

I know that Guru Granth Sahib contains a great philosophy that any human being can take advantage of it while following it in his/her day to day life. Everything I know about sikhism or its philosophy is through reading books or going to websites like SPN.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/8020-why-do-we-do-path-listen.html

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=8020
My question is, if I cant understand what is written in Guru Granth Sahib or what exactly does it mean when they sing kirtan then whats the use of listening to it or doing it myself. Shouldnt there be a simpler version of Bani which is more understandable while you read?

I m always confused about it.
*

Jassy · #2 (**permalink**) 17-Jan-2006, 04:37 AM

Did you ever understand Shakespeare when you read it the first time? I didn't, I had to use Coles notes ... similar concept w/Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, you must use translations if you acn't comprehend the original scripture. Nothing is easy ..

ddhillon · #3 (**permalink**) 18-Jan-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jassy

Did you ever understand Shakespeare when you read it the first time? I didn't, I had to use Coles notes ... similar concept w/Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, you must use translations if you acn't comprehend the original scripture. Nothing is easy ..

Lets say I understand it through translations or some other source, then whats the use of doing path after that?

vijaydeep Singh · #4 (**permalink**) 18-Jan-2006, 18:38 PM

Gurfateh

often same thing is repeated in Gurbani,Repeating something is good for let us make it strong in our heart.By sayer and by listener.By writer and by reader.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=8020

Let this thing be embbeded deep in our heart.

Once it is done we can just think of that verse they come to our mind.We need to check it daily.So one day we can have nitnem(daliy rules of Path or reading/praying) without Gutka(book).

Soul_jyot · #5 (**permalink**) 18-Jan-2006, 23:24 PM

I personally do paath/simran for the following BASIC reasons :
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=8020

- To wash and purify my mind and help it to cocentrate and be more focused

- To realize Waheguru / God so that my ATMA can join & come one with PARMATA

- To enlighten and calm the mind, body & my soul (atma)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=8020

- To control: lust, anger, greed, worldly attachments & ego

The key to my goals/objectives being: STRONG FAITH, WILL POWER (DETERMINATION), AND PATIENCE !

Sikhism = Sewa, simran & sadh sangat

To me prayer (paath) = TALKING to Waheguru Ji, while meditation/simran = LISTENING to Waheguru God !

Note: I do not discuss/argue about my spiritual path with others, since I consider my life journey very personal ( I WALK the path, rather than TALK the path )! I follow the guidance/direction of my spiritual mentor/teacher only !

drkhalsa · #6 (**permalink**) 19-Jan-2006, 00:11 AM

Quote:

I know that Guru Granth Sahib contains a great philosophy that any human being can take advantage of it while following it in his/her day to day life. Everything I know about sikhism or its philosophy is through reading books or going to websites like SPN.

My question is, if I cant understand what is written in Guru Granth Sahib or what exactly does it mean when they sing kirtan then whats the use of listening to it or doing it myself. Shouldnt there be a simpler version of Bani which is more understandable while you read?

I m always confused about it

Dear DDhillon

I would like you to just try this shabd just listen to it and read it as given
I am sure you will like it anf feel real joy listening and singing it along
And this the the answer to your query , when we listen to gurbani and also we know the meaning and more importantly when we sing it it become so devine experience

Just try here in this post

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurban...n-narayan.html

Jatinder Singh

Jassy · #7 (**permalink**) 19-Jan-2006, 00:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddhillon

Lets say I understand it through translations or some other source, then whats the use of doing path after that?

About a year ago I asked the same question and someone said well it purifies my soul. You see I did paath for years not knowing the meaning of a single sentence. Mum had me doing it since I was two.

I'll agree with Soul_jyot, he/she is absolutely correct. I suppose everyone has their personal reason(s) for remembering Waheguru on a daily basis. To answer your question, I don't do paath to obtain anything in return ... yes I do make requests here n there but generally I do it to have one-on-one chit chat w/Babaji. Though I still don't remember the meaning of all the pauris in Japji Sahib. For me it begins w/meditation, then comes gratitude for just about everything and then as I mentioned earlier I might squeeze in a request for something.

So in short there is no tangible gain in doing paath, for me its my comfort zone that I like to visit everyday.

Not sure if I've answered your question.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 19-Jan-2006, 09:52 AM

Gurbani is like "SOAP"...it washes the SOUL...Bhareah matt papaan ke saang...and so....de sabuun laeah uh dhoyeah..... To get beenfits of SOAP..one has to USE it to rub on dirty clothes...merely "knowing" about its qualities...wont do a thing. You can do a "google" on SOAP....and read thousands of pages about it, how it is made, types, variations, how it is manufactured blah blah blah ( soemthing like merely reading gurbani translations..like one reader mentioned above).....BUT IF you want to clean your dirty clothes..all thsi googling wont do a thing unless you go out buy a bar of soap, come back and rub it on your clothes... SAME THING with Gurbani translations....read them..BUT your MANN wont get clean unless you start doing Paath ( rubbing like in soap).. thats the whole idea of doing paath. The more you do paath..the cleaner your mann gets to become...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=8020
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=8020

Jarnail Singh

sardaul · #9 (**permalink**) 19-Jan-2006, 18:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul_jyot

I personally do paath/simran for the following BASIC reasons :

- To wash and purify my mind and help it to cocentrate and be more focused

- To realize Waheguru / God so that my ATMA can join & come one with PARMATA

- To enlighten and calm the mind, body & my soul (atma)

- To control: lust, anger, greed, worldly attachments & ego

The key to my goals/objectives being: STRONG FAITH, WILL POWER (DETERMINATION), AND PATIENCE !

Sikhism = Sewa, simran & sadh sangat

To me prayer (paath) = TALKING to Waheguru Ji, while meditation/simran = LISTENING to Waheguru God !

Note: I do not discuss/argue about my spiritual path with others, since I consider my life journey very personal ( I WALK the path, rather than TALK the path )! I follow the guidance/direction of my spiritual mentor/teacher only !

Yes, I agree with you.These are the main principles of a perfect Sikh and human being,if they obey.