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Meditation on God Help

Discuss Meditation on God Help within the Sikh Sikhi Sikhism forums, part of the Sikhism category; Sat Sri Akaal Ji. Balbir Ji, i am enjoying this! Please continue this wonderful discussion! Thanks for sparing time and ...

 
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Old 21-05-2006, 04:47 AM
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Lightbulb Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Sat Sri Akaal Ji.

Balbir Ji, i am enjoying this! Please continue this wonderful discussion!

Quote:
Thanks for sparing time and keeping the Satsang alive.
Thanks to you too my friend. I am loving it! I reply when i feel most active!
And, i don't see anyone else getting involved in this discussion deeply. I think they should! Sikhphilosophy, knock knock!

Quote:
Quote >>>I feel that in your last post you have misinterpreted Gurbani. <<<
Perhaps you want to say that one understands Gurbani according to his conscious mind.
I simply said that you misinterpreted Gurbani! No strings attached. That is what i feel. And in my opinion, you are continuing to do so. One understands Gurbani truly only when one experiences what the Gurus have said. Just a conscious mind is not enough. One has to live Gurbani. That way understanding is Sahaj, it is natural. So, you can't be sure if you have got it right and the same applies to me. You are trying to use your mind to figure out Gurbani and i am using mine. But the mind is unreliable.

Quote:
Guru Arjan Dev Ji's Vaaks are
sB qy aUc pwey AsQwnu ]
"sabh tay ooch paa-ay asthaan."
He receives the highest place of all.
The highest place is no 'place' at all. You have taken it too literally. In the context of that 'Pad', place refers to the highest state a person achieves in Sahaj Avastha.
Here is another line from Gurbani, which uses the word 'Asthaan', but not as a place.
"Naam Bhagat Kai Sukh Asthaan".
which means
"The Naam is the home of joy for His Bhagats".
See, how 'Naam' is refered to as an 'asthaan', symbolically. But Naam is not an 'asthaan', isn't it? So, 'asthaan' word is quite generic. It is not always used for a physical place in space. It is used to refer to non-material things too, such as 'Naam' or 'Sahaj Avastha' (ooch asthaan, as a state). The word 'asthaan' is used in so many ways in Gurbani. Study more lines from Gurbani containing this word, to improve understanding. Hope this helps.
Gurbani is for people from all walks of life. From novices to advanced minds, all interpret Gurbani the way they want. There are as many interpretations as there are minds! I would simply say that Guruji is talking about Union with God, about the drop merging with the ocean and becoming the ocean and in that context the state (don't take it literally as place) realized would be the highest, 'a drop becoming the infinite ocean'.


Quote:
bhuir n hovY Awvn jwnu ]
"bahur na hovai aavan jaan." SGGS 295-18
That does not come and leave (vary).

God is not a place (asthaan). For God all places are equal. Only for human beings there are higher places or lower. One wants to reach highest place with God's Praise.
Gurdev says the person receives it by 'Ustat' and does not come and go from that place life long.
'Bahur Na Hovai Aavan Jaan' is such a simple line from Gurbani. It simply means that 'Such a person gets out of the cycle of birth and death'. 'Birth' is 'Aavan' and 'Death' is 'Jaan'! I am surprised seeing you misinterpret this! Let's do one thing, let's start a new thread and try to get the opinion of others in the Sangat, just on this line from Gurbani. Let's see the response. Perhaps, that will make you think again.
Gurbani is trying to help us to realize the state of Union with God, which is the highest state. Once One reaches that state, One does not come back into the cycle of birth and death. So, simple to understand! I wonder why you are creating worldly interpretations out of it. Please see the context in which Guruji is talking. Please read the entire Ashtpadee. Meditate on it!
Refer to your interpretation of 'Bahur Na Hovai Aavan Jaan'. You say that Guruji is saying that "the person receives it by 'Ustat' and does not come and go from that place life long". So, if a person did God's Ustat sitting in a cave, you mean to say that he will not be able to leave that cave for his entire life! Is God trying to punish that poor man for praising Him?! Weird meanings arise if you consider the context to be pointing to a worldly place.
In the same 'Pad' of that 'Ashtpadee', Guruji says,
"Sukhmanee Sahaj Gobind Gunn Naam.
Jis Mann Basai So Hoat Nidhan."
It means,
"The singing of the praises of the Lord (Gobind Gunn) and His Naam are responsible for the Sahaj Avastha, which is the jewel of joy (Sukhmanee).
When the Naam abides in the mind, one becomes a treasure."
So, all the rewards that Guruji describes after this line are for a person in whose mind the Naam of God comes to rest permanently, including the reward of freedom from the cycle of birth and death. They are not some rewards that someone can get with superficial parrot-like Ustat.

Quote:
God would have never spoken such words through the Guru's if your interpretation is right.
Speak for yourself, do not speak on behalf of the Guru or God! How do you know that God would have never spoken such words through the Guru if my interpretation is right?? Do you already know God? Gurbani says that God is unfathomable, nobody can know His intentions. And suddenly you seem to know what God would have done! Wow! How can you know why God did what He did and what He would have done in a certain situation!? That is highly presumptuous of you! You speak as if you understand God! Wow!

Quote:
ausqiq inMdw doaU iqAwgY KojY pdu inrbwnw ]
"ustat nindaa do-oo ti-aagai khojai pad nirbaanaa." SGGS 219-3
He renounces both praise and slandering seeking the state of Salvation.
Exactly! Here Guruji is talking about renouncing praise and slandering! Isn't that an effort required from a seeker? Or do you want God to come and snatch praise and slandering from him? If that is the case then why are so many in this world continuing to praise and slander? Why doesn't God take it away from them, since you say that no effort is needed from the seeker? Guruji says "He renounces", He doesn't say, "I make him renounce", does he? Thanks for justifying my point of view that some effort is required from the seeker!

Quote:
Please ponder the wonderful truth through Guru Arjan Dev Ji's words.
ausqiq krih syvk muin kyqy qyrw AMqu n kqhU pweIAY ]
"ustat karahi sayvak mun kaytay tayraa ant na kathoo paa-ee-ai." SGGS Ang 528-15
So many servants and silent sages do Ustat. They do not reach your end.
This is exactly what i have been trying to say through all those posts. Forget the sages, even the realized Ones cannot find God's end! Because if there was an end to God, Gurbani wouldn't have called Him infinite ('Beant')!
Again, over here, effort is being put by those sewaks and sages while doing Ustat, isn't it? I know what you will say, that Ustat cannot help one to reach God. I say that anything can help one to reach God, provided one is totally involved in that act. If you are doing Sumiran, do it totally. If you are doing Keertan, do it totally. If you are doing His Ustat in any manner, do it totally. If you are dancing in His love, do it totally! Total involvement, total devotion, total one-pointedness is a pre-requisite!

Quote:
Strange you say that they reach the state by Ustat (praise) and ask. "Isn't that Mukti?"
When did i say that 'Ustat' is a state!? You are taking liberties here! You are assuming things that i never said! This is what i have to say. Praise or Ustat of God is an 'Act'. If one is totally 'one-pointed' (devoted) in that act then even Ustat is capable of taking one to the door of God!
Now, to the the point of why, and in what context, i asked the question, 'Isn't that Mukti?'
I spoke of Gurbani saying, 'Bahur Na Hovai Aavan Jaan', which according to me means '(Such a person) gets out of the cycle of birth and death'. Now, getting out of the cycle of birth and death is Mukti. If my interpretation is right then my question is right too! Let's get the opinion of the sikhphilosophy sangat on this line from Gurbani. Do i have permission to do that Balbir Ji? Better still, why don't you approach the 'Panj Pyaaras' (whom Guruji considered as the Guru, in order to take Amrit Himself), and ask them what that line means. I am sure Guruji will enlighten you through them! Please try it!

Quote:
In my experience, it is true that the awareness of Chit is the result of True Simran.
Your experience? In the sense that you have experienced total awareness? Or are you just talking about heightened awareness during Sumiran? Well, to just reach a state of heightened awareness, many other techniques can do the trick, for example, 'Ustat'! Try it! That's my experience! Praising God through Keertan has raised my awareness manifold, always! Just as well as Sumiran!

Quote:
The statement "One-pointedness is all that matter" is not correct. I feel all know what one-pointedness is. Where do they stick up?
Although, i did not quote that directly, i still support that entirely. All my posts are indicative of that. Only 'total devotion', only 'one-pointedness in devotion' to God can please the Guru. I don't think anybody can object to that statement. So, why do you say it is not correct? How can you be so certain? How can you totally rely on your mind for that, when Guruji has asked us to 'win over' or 'kill' our mind? I really want the sikhphilosophy sangat to give their opinions on this!
You say that all know about one-pointedness! My dear there is a big difference between 'knowing' and 'putting it into practice'. I know about so many things, does that mean i have realized those things? I know Nirvikalpa Samadhi is a state of Union with God, but just by knowing do i experience that state? Just by knowing 'one-pointedness' do i become 'one-pointed'? Is this so hard to understand?

Quote:
Quote from your Post #23 dated 05-12-2006 is >>>The journey begins with Jaap and ends in Ajapaa Jaap. <<<

Quote from your Post #39 dated 05-19-2006 is >>>We may talk of the journey of the mind but not the journey of the soul because the journey of the soul never began and will never end . . . For example, your body started its journey when you were born at some time and place and it will end its journey when you will die at some time and place. This example is from the grosser world. The mind, which is subtler, also has a journey, which is just in time, nevertheless it is a journey in the literal sense. A day will come when you will become 'no-mind', when you will become enlightened, that will be the end of the journey for the mind. <<<

Are Jaap and Ajapaa Jaap like mind that can begin and end?

Is God something different from Jaap of His Naam and Ajapaa Jaap? Please explain.
Jaap is finite. Jaap stops once Ajapaa Jaap is heard. How can one continue to do Jaap when the most wonderful Jaap of God, the 'Ajapaa Jaap' is heard? There would be no need! Ajapaa Jaap which permeates the whole of Creation is infinite, without beginning and end.
God is in the Jaap of His Naam, as done by Him. This Jaap, as set forth by Him, is the 'Ajapaa Jaap'. God is in this Ajapaa Jaap, which is the foundation of Creation.
In the form of the 'Ajapaa Jaap', God permeates the whole of His Creation. He is also in our Jaap (very subtly, deep down), but we have to reach the foundation, our centre, in order to see God in our Jaap. Even Maya is God's Creation, even Maya is within His Hukam. So anything arising out of Maya is also within His Hukam. Our Jaap may arise out of our ego, which arises out of Maya, but still, the base that it is resting on is God. If the wall of ego separating us from God disappears then our Jaap merges into the Ajapaa Jaap. Only the Ajapaa Jaap remains forever.

Quote:
Quote >>>So, you mean to say that the ego of a person and Jaap cannot co-exist? Anybody who starts Jaap, starts also with an ego. <<<

Yes. True Jaap cannot begin in presence of ego. Also, ego is never tiny.
'True Jaap' is the Jaap done by God. It is the 'Ajapaa Jaap'. The 'Ultimate Jaap'. Nothing else can be called 'True Jaap' because some bit of ego always remains in our Jaap. Only after the ego is finally extinguished by the Guru, do we begin to hear the Ajapaa Jaap. Our Jaap no longer exists, because 'we' no longer exist. Since we merge into the whole, our 'Jaap' also merges with the 'Ajapaa Jaap'.
Haven't you ever met people who have very little ego? Haven't you met someone humbler than you? It means that he is relatively less egoistic than you, isn't it? So, ego can be less or more. Some people are very egoistic, like 'Harnaakash' who tortured his own son 'Prahlaad'. 'Prahlaad' had a very tiny (subtle) ego, He was the embodiment of humility, like many other Bhagats, hence God came as 'Narsimhaa' to destroy 'Harnaakash' once and for all because 'Harnaakash' was about to kill God's loved devotee 'Prahlaad'. And Gurbani says that God always comes to protect those who totally surrender to His Will.
Ego can be big! And ego can be tiny! And ego can be everything in between! Try to understand. I feel i cannot make it simpler than this! You want more examples, the history of spirituality is bleeding with examples from very big egos to very little egos!
Remaining Sangat of Sikhphilosophy, please get involved!

Quote:
Quote >>>Moreover, i never said that the first two stages of Jaap demand 100% effort from the meditator. <<<

In my experience, most of the people in this world do not come to the wisdom of Jaap. Just because they are sure that nothing will work without their tiny ego. Jaap is 100% effort of God through the Guru right from the first step. Anything else what one has come to know in presence of ego is not true Jaap.
'Jaap is 100% effort of God through the Guru'!! This is the first time i have heard that God has to put efforts to get something done! Wow! The ones who realize God become effortless and God still has to put efforts, wow! How does that stick up?!
(Answer yes or no)
(1) Have you come to the wisdom of Jaap?
(2) Do you have an ego?
If the answer to both those questions is 'yes' then what you have said above in your statement is wrong!
And please don't mix up 'Jaap' with 'True Jaap'. 'Jaap' is something that we do. And 'True Jaap' or 'Ajapaa Jaap' is something that is happening due to God.

Quote:
Quote >>>You must have heard the word "Udam"? It occurs many times in Gurbani in various contexts. It simply means "genuine/sincere effort". <<<

This understanding is again a game of ego.
Wow! So, when i understand something, then it is a 'game of ego', hmm?
And when you understand something then it is not? Who figured that out?
Go through these line from Gurbani once again:
"Sagal Udam Mah Udam Bhala, Har Ka Naam Japahu Jiya Sada."
which means,
"The best effort among all efforts is to always chant the name of God in one's heart."
(this should really clear your doubts about the significance of sincere effort during Jaap)
Is Guruji also playing a game of ego, talking about 'genuine effort' required from a seeker during 'Naam-Jap'?!
If you are not without ego then how can you be so sure that what 'you' have understood is also not 'a game of the ego'?

Quote:
Please ponder these great Vaaks from the Gurus. Sangat does not need my explanation.

audm miq pRB AMqrjwmI ijau pRyry iqau krnw ]
"udam mat parabh antarjaamee ji-o parayray ti-o karnaa." SGGS Ang 798-19
Endeavor is the intelligence of all-knowing God. As HE inspires, does it.
How do you know that Sangat does not need your explanation? Isn't that presumptuous of you? I request you to just speak for yourself! No offense meant!
And, am i not part of the Sangat too? How do you know that i do not need an explanation?! Maybe you are right, i don't! But how do you know? Are you antarjamee too?
Well, if you don't want to explain, then i will explain it to the Sangat as i understand it.
The word 'Prayrnaa' means 'Inspiration'. You got that right! And that is what i have been trying to explain for so long! That God and Guru guide us, inspire us, tell us about the right techniques and then we have got to follow them, put some efforts into what they say!
The above line from Gurbani says,
'Jio Prayray Tio Karnaa'.
'Prayray' is derived from 'Prayrnaa'. The above line means, 'As He inspires, that way they (or we) do'. And you have simply stated 'He inspires, does it'. Does that mean anything? He inspires Himself? For what? He is already perfect. Why would He need inspiration from Himself? And that too to 'Do' something?! He can inspire someone who is not perfect. He can inspire His imperfect children who seek salvation. That is what Guruji is trying to tell us.
In its entirety the line means:
'Sincere effort and intelligence come from all-knowing God (as inspiration), as He inspires that way they (or we) do'.
Isn't this closer to what Guruji is trying to tell us? Sangat Ji decide?

Quote:
Anidnu Andu BieAw mnu ibgisAw audm Bey imln kI Aws ]1]
"an-din anad bha-i-aa man bigsi-aa udam bha-ay milan kee aas." SGGS Ang 1295-5
Day and night, bliss is happing, mind forgot, endeavor happened and hope to meet.

Endeavor is a God's Act. It happens. It is not the faculty of tiny ego, as you have tried to explain in a long prose.
Wow, i haven't seen Gurbani misinterpreted, mistranslated and mis-presented like this in a long time! Read your translation in one go and you will know why i say this.
Is the meaning of 'Bigsi-aa' equal to 'forgot'!? I thought 'Bisariaa' was forgot! Now, almost anybody can tell you that! Again, my point here is that if you could make a mistake while translating one word, don't you think your interpretations of Gurbani could also be at fault? Please, seriously, think about this!
'Bigasiaa' literally means 'blossomed forth'! See the difference. You interpreted it as 'forgot' when the actual meaning is to 'blossom forth'! What a difference between, 'mind forgot' and 'mind has blossomed forth'! Not even the same context!
You say 'Endeavor is God's act'! God needs to endeavor? For what? Has God ever come to you personally and told you that? I don't think so. But indeed, God can inspire us through those who have realized Him, like the Gurus.
According to me, the above line means,
'Day and night, bliss is happening (to me), (my) mind has blossomed forth, efforts are happening, (i) yearn to unite with my Lord'.
If you set a wheel turning, does it stop moving immediately when you leave it? In fact, if there was no friction of any kind, the wheel would keep turning forever. Once one puts genuine efforts with the help of the Satguru, the wheel starts turning and then it keeps turning if we just remain Gurmukhs and follow the Guru. Hence, we may say that 'efforts happen', in the sense that the wheel keeps turning. The friction is created by our minds, but with the guidance of the Guru and genuine efforts by the Sikh the friction is eradicated and the wheel shall keep turning till it reaches its destination!
First you called my replies, a 'Veda', now 'long prose', i wonder what's coming next! You tell me to explain things all the time. How can i explain without 'long prose'?!
Quote:
Quote >>>Did i ever say that Ajapaa Jaap gets matured? <<<
What else this mean "The journey begins with Jaap and ends in Ajapaa Jaap."

Did you want to say that the Jaap starts with the tiny ego but ends in ego-less Ajapaa Jaap?

It has never worked with anyone. It will never work with anyone.
Amazing! You seem to know everyone throughout history! It is so easy for you to say that, 'It has never worked with anyone. It will never work with anyone'. Again, i would like to ask, how can you be so sure? Are you one with God already? Are you 'ghat ghat ke antarjaamee' like God, hmm?!
What i simply meant by the line, 'The journey begins with Jaap and ends in Ajapaa Jaap' is the following:
We begin doing Jaap while our ego is still with us. I do Jaap and i know i have an ego. And i also know that it is diminishing. With the Guru's guidance and with genuine efforts which i will have to put in, i hope to eradicate it totally some day. Whenever that day comes, i would hear the Ajapaa Jaap permanently!

Quote:
Quote >>>In Gurbani, you will not find a single line that says, "Ek Omkar is equal to Ajapaa Jaap". <<<

It is not the first time I have come across a person who wants to say something more than the Gurus say.
Woah! Isn't that what i said? That you will not find a single line saying that 'Ek Omkar is equal to Ajapaa Jaap'. When did i assert that line? I said that one will 'not find' such a straight-forward line of equating the two phrases in Gurbani! After that i even explained how i came to the conclusion, that both 'Ek Omkar' and 'Ajapaa Jaap' refer to the same idea, through my understanding. Just look over your posts, how many times have you linked lines from Gurbani with your understanding and tried to prove a point!? If you can do that then why can't somebody else? This is not fair, Balbir Ji!
My friend, to understand what the Gurus have said, first of all a person has to understand many languages, above that, one has to be able to decipher all the poetic constructs of Gurbani. A lot goes into the interpretation of Gurbani. And not everyone can interpret it in the exact same way. Everyone is trying. I am trying to interpret Gurbani based on my understanding. You are doing it in your way. And here we both are trying to share our understanding with everyone. You are the one who keeps asking, 'Please explain', 'Please elaborate'! To elaborate, i will have to say something more! I will have to link statements from Gurbani and add whatever i have understood! How else can one elaborate? Please, at least acknowledge that! You have been asking questions 90% of the time, try elaborating for once and you will know what i mean!
Moreover, have you 'come across your own self'?! You are talking of coming across other people who say more than the Gurus have said. What about you? Do you understand everything that the Gurus have said? They said it out of enlightenment. And as far as i know, you are not enlightened. Or are you? If not then your understanding will definitely be short of Guruji's understanding, however hard you try. The same thing applies to me too. So, please don't say that you have come across other people who try to say more than the Gurus, as if you know everything that the Gurus have said, and that you never do that yourself!

Quote:
Quote >>>Although "Ek" goes along with "Omkar", it is not a part of "Omkar". It is just indicative that there is only "One" like the "Omkar", that there is no other.

Etymologically, based on Gurmukhi grammar, "Omkar" can be split up into "Om" and "kar", where "kar" means something that keeps repeating itself, such as in "Jaikar". In "Omkar", what is that which is repeating? It has to be "Om" because "kar" is attached to it. My point is that "Ek" and "kar" are describing the essential qualities of "Om", that there is only "One" like it and it "repeats forever".
<<<
I pray you come to experience what it all is. I hope you have kept some place free for truth.
I thank you for your kind gesture. You prayed for me. Many thanks to you.
But, Balbir ji, firstly you ask me to 'Please explain', 'Please elaborate' all the time, and when i do explain what i have understood, you start talking like as if Guruji came and told you i was wrong!
And talking of 'keeping some place free for truth'. You surely mean that whatever place i now have is full of falsities, don't you? How do you know that what i have understood is false? If you are certain that it is false then please justify yourself. What if my understanding is acceptable to the Guru? Is there any way for you to know? What if my understanding of 'Ek Omkar' arose out of many years of Sumiran? What if i realized it in a Sahaj manner through the Guru? Do you know how i came to that understanding? I am sure you don't. Say whatever you want to say about your experience with 100% surity and i won't object. But don't comment in this way about other's experience, that too after asking them to share their understanding.

Quote:
Quote >>>So, just by offering Bhai Gurdaas Ji's baani a place in "Aad Granth Sahib Ji", Guru Arjan Dev Ji showed the kind of respect He had for Bhaiji and his baani. Later on in His life, Guru Arjan Dev Ji declared that Bhai Gurdaas Ji's Baani could be used as a "Teeka" (simplified guide) for easy understanding of Gurbani from the "Aad Granth Sahib Ji". <<<

Please provide an authentic proof. I will be grateful.
Think of the reason why Bhai Gurdaas Ji's baani is sung in 'The Golden Temple' and in the Gurudwaaras all across the world. Did people suddenly start doing that due to a whim? This has been happening since Guruji's time, since the time He was present to witness it happening. I hope that is enough of a proof for you.

Quote:
Quote >>>Where have i "praised" the efforts of the ego!!? Please tell me one line in which i have "praised" it! <<<

I hope I have not understood your writing "Indeed, every bit of progress we make is a gift from God, but we have to make some effort, however tiny, so that we can make progress."
Yes, you have not understood my writing!
Read my posts once again. As a ready reference, i am reposting certain things here.
Bhai Gurdas Ji's Shabad, "Charan Saran Gur EK PAINDA Jae Chal, Satgur KOT PAINDA Aagey Hoe Laet Hai".
I have informed you that Bhai Gurdaas Ji's baani was acceptable to Guruji as a Teeka, but now you want a proof, to which i have supplied adequate proof i think. So, if you find no way to refute that, i am sure you will try to translate the above line in such a way that it justifies your view. And this cycle will never end!
I have given you direct examples from Gurbani, consider these:
"Sagal Udam Mah Udam Bhala, Har Ka Naam Japahu Jiya Sada."
which means,
"The best effort among all efforts is to always chant the name of God in one's heart."
(this should really clear your doubts about the significance of sincere effort during Jaap)
"Udam Karat Seetal Mann Bhaey."
which means,
"By putting in genuine efforts, the mind became calm and quiet."
When you don't have a direct reply against an argument, you just ignore it and post some other lines from Gurbani and try to justify yourself. And i have given replies to each one of your justifications based on my understanding of Gurbani. In the last post, you even mistranslated "blossoming forth of the mind" as "mind forgot", which cannot be a typing mistake. Your translation of the word 'Bigasiaa' is not even close to a literal translation of it! If such a mistranslation can happen then don't you think that you could have mistranslated other lines from Gurbani too? Please try to be a little more flexible and maybe we will be able to learn something in the process.
And, i have explained my support in favour of 'Genuine effort in following the Guru' so many times, in such detail. And you have not responded well at all. You are still stuck with one single line from my initial post. To support that line i have given so many arguments and you haven't replied fairly.
By the way, with respect to apparent controversies arising in the minds of amateur seekers, where is your reply to, "Namo Andhkaare, Namo Tej Tejey"? You have ignored it and replied without any mention. Maybe you are still looking for a way to justify this in your way.

Quote:
Quote >>>A 'sword' can be used to carry out atrocities on innocent people and the same 'sword' can be used to protect the weak from evil! <<<

Just imagine. WHO is protecting persons also carrying a sword?
What i stated about the sword is such a simple and generic idea!
Guruji has transformed so many people who earlier used their powers to harm people and later used the same powers to help them. Isn't that enough to support this analogy with a sword?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji transformed 'Kaudaa Raakhshas' into a saint! This person used to fry people alive and later eat them using his powers. And Guruji transformed him into a humble sewak. The same sword that used to kill people started protecting them.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji transformed 'Madho Das' into 'Banda Singh Bahadur Ji'. Earlier he used to insult saints visiting his village. People who did not bow down to his ego had to face his wrath. After one meeting with Guruji, he was transformed. He became a 'destroyer of evil' and a 'protector of the weak, defenseless and downtrodden'. Again, an 'evil' sword was transformed into a 'good' one.
Let's see what you come up with.

Quote:
Knowing that you are not taking anything personally is pleasant.
Balbir Ji. I can assure you that i am not hurt by anything you said. And i hope that i have not hurt you unknowingly.
I am trying to contribute to a healthy discussion/debate, from which everyone in the Sangat could learn or maybe unlearn something!
By the way, don't be in a hurry to reply because then you tend to miss many of the questions that i ask. And by all means, continue to be totally frank.

Best wishes.
Bhull Chukk Di Khimaa Mangdaa Haan.
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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
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  #42 (permalink)  
Old 21-05-2006, 10:36 AM
Balbir Singh's Avatar
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal!
Snavneet Ji!

Beings in the world come and go. So is it with everything including places (asthaan). I feel Gurus sometime attract a Saadhak with his deep-rooted wishes. They assure that on God's way all wishes get fulfilled. The use of the words 'the high place', Ridhi, Sidhi and Nidhi in this Pauri are in the same sense, in my view. Every worldly person wishes not only possession of these but their stability too.
What a person reaches in life, it does not matter. All is left behind, also every asthaan but Naam.
Yet according to you it is not so with a high asthaan reached by Ustat.

I did not meet any person who is not praising God.
Your views are "They are not some rewards that someone can get with superficial parrot-like Ustat."
Please explain what a non parrot like Ustat is without blaming a seeker.

**************

Thanks for your suggestion >>>Better still, why don't you approach the 'Panj Pyaaras' <<<

I hope you are not suggesting me to forget ONE. Panj Pyaaras try to approach whom even.

**************

Quote >>>I know Nirvikalpa Samadhi is a state of Union with God, but just by knowing do i experience that state? Just by knowing 'one-pointedness' do i become 'one-pointed'? <<<

Your Posts give an impression that you know so many words.

**************

Quote >>>Jaap stops once Ajapaa Jaap is heard. <<<

May I ask what continues in Ajapaa Jaap? Why they call it Ajapaa Jaap when Jaap stops before Ajapaa Jaap starts?

**************

Please do not ask personal questions. I feel one preferably needs to know God.

**************

Quote >>>Remaining Sangat of Sikhphilosophy, please get involved! <<<

Canvassing for votes and shouting slogans does not help reaching truth.

**************

Quote >>>'Jaap is 100% effort of God through the Guru'!! This is the first time i have heard that God has to put efforts to get something done! Wow! The ones who realize God become effortless and God still has to put efforts, wow! How does that stick up?! <<<

The Guru is singing "naanak hukmai jay bujhai ta ha-umai kahai na ko-ay." SGGS Ang 1
Nanak, who comes to know Hukam then ego does not say anyone.

It is surprising. Still, some go on singing songs of tiny efforts. Perhaps they are waiting to realize Hukam.

All is God, also His Efforts. This is what Truth feels like.

**************

Quote >>>"Sagal Udam Mah Udam Bhala, Har Ka Naam Japahu Jiya Sada."
which means,
"The best effort among all efforts is to always chant the name of God in one's heart." <<<

This is a wonderful Vaak from Gurdev. I do not find a place for tiny ego (effort) in "Sagal Udam Mah Udam Bhala, Har Ka Naam Japahu Jiya Sada." The benevolent effort is among all efforts. Jiya chants the name of Hari always. The blessed ones realize God in all His Efforts, other their ego.

**************

Quote >>>Is the meaning of 'Bigsi-aa' equal to 'forgot'!? I thought 'Bisariaa' was forgot! <<<

'Bigsi-aa' means reaching evolution. This word when used for mind (man) states its unfolding. Mind through True Simran reaches the evolution of non existence. God is realized forgetting mind.
We transcend it fully when unfolded completely. I tried to explain this state of mind in short.
Realizing the presence of mind, in any form, one cannot watch Prabhu.

Mind is not a flower. Neither it blossoms like a flower as some have translated it.

**************

Quote >>>Think of the reason why Bhai Gurdaas Ji's baani is sung in 'The Golden Temple' and in the Gurudwaaras all across the world. Did people suddenly start doing that due to a whim? This has been happening since Guruji's time, since the time He was present to witness it happening. <<<

Some assert to have discovered truth because they saw many people practicing something as ritual.

**************


You wished to know my views about Guru's Vaak "Namo Andhkaare, Namo Tej Tejey."

All His creation is God Himself also things that look opposite. God is the Origin of Darkness (Andhkaar) and Light (Tej) both. This is why HE is Andhkaare and Tejey both. Bowing alone to one of the above is not bowing completely.

By the way 'Namo' is not bowing what people know as 'Mathaa Tayk'.

**************

I have a small request. Please do not seek and collect mistakes from others. One may learn from those though.

Thanks.


Balbir Singh
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  #43 (permalink)  
Old 22-05-2006, 04:09 PM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Just as you brush and bathe each day, taking time out to think of God. One owes the Creator a gift, that gift can be willing meditation.
Meditation does not mean reciting holy words again & again. Meditation is just sitting down and observe feelng inside one self. It is a path of knowing Self.
It is through meditation One creates the causes for the release of the bondage of this loveable reflection of God within self. As you forget your little self (the ego) and focus on the needs of the soul, you find the lilting song of the Divine wafting into the inner recesses of your heart.
Meditation is food for the soul. Life becomes a musical rendition, in the canticle of which you create your own successful tune.
Regards
Manvir
Quote:
Originally Posted by il_sikh
WJKK, WJKF!
I know that the way to salvation is meditation on God. But I'm just wondering how is that actually done? Is it like other eastern faiths (like Buddhism, Jainism), sitting and reciting Waheguru over and over, or is there more to it? How do we, as Sikhs, meditate on God? I realise being conciously aware of what you're doing, being calm, etc. is required. But what else? I apologise if a lot of that is redundant. Thanks for your help,
Justin
justin_lundeen@khalsa.com
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  #44 (permalink)  
Old 22-05-2006, 10:46 PM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Pray Truth for all and Satsriakal!
Danishines Ji!

Thanks for your post.

Quote >>>Meditation does not mean reciting holy words again & again. <<<

Do recitations of holy words play any role?

Quote >>>Meditation is just sitting down and observe feelng inside one self. It is a path of knowing Self. <<<

Is meditation only possible while sitting? Is a path available to human beings to move or sit?

Please explain.


Balbir Singh
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Old 23-05-2006, 04:46 AM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Dear Balbir Ji and Savneet Ji


Just to let you know that I following the disscusions

At the moment I dont feel like asking anything as I am geting my answers!


Jatinder Singh
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Old 24-05-2006, 03:08 AM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

There are so many ways to meditate to the mighty lord god. The thing is, it depends on your mood, and level of godness. For example, there are many different ways, if your a sikh, and you have passion for music, then you might aswell start of with shabad. You got to have passion for these things, and only then can your experience start. Remember, your not alone, god loves us all, and god is the pure self of you.
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Old 24-05-2006, 02:25 PM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

What is mediatton?
Meditation is in its experience. Each one has different experiences.

In meditation we touch the yarn of the fabric of the Creator and awaken to the glory of His creation. We understand that our minds are but part of His mind, our breath is but a manifestation of His life, and our thoughts are but His power flowing through us. We comprehend that our voice was given to hum His glory, our hands to do His work, and our hearts, to feel Him through the glow of His love.

Likewise, using holy words during mediation, some people able to feel connected with God. Others without holy words are connected. Its all about individual, how he wants to be connected.

Mediation does not mean sitting is issolation , It is possible while walking , talking or doing any other work. Most of the time we are either thinking what happened in past or concerned about future. Meditation brings awareness & bring the mind to the Present.

Regards
Manvir



Quote:
Originally Posted by Balbir Singh
Pray Truth for all and Satsriakal!
Danishines Ji!
Thanks for your post.
Quote >>>Meditation does not mean reciting holy words again & again. <<<
Do recitations of holy words play any role?
Quote >>>Meditation is just sitting down and observe feelng inside one self. It is a path of knowing Self. <<<
Is meditation only possible while sitting? Is a path available to human beings to move or sit?
Please explain.
Balbir Singh
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  #48 (permalink)  
Old 24-05-2006, 02:53 PM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Exactly, people have different methods to approach god. The thing is, you cant just always urge yourself to meet god. Sometimes when you do to much you stress yourself out.

In sikhism, there were methods which were suitable to those people at that time. We all have busy lives, you cant just sit around all day and meditate. Thats what i used to think. We cant be like saints because we have not got the time. And there is also nothing to regret for aswell.

The thing is, if you are already a sikh, then you should follow the religion in the way you can, not as how other people can, but the way your capable of. Experiencing and communicating with god is a personal thing.

There were reasons why people do what the gurus told them to do. But as life is changing, and people are not pure in heart, though the world is perfect, as we are the people who take things wrongly as it is our mind tha says it, so to is it with the development of praying to god.

IF it says in sikhism to do this, to do that... think first if you are capable of doing it. The sikhism is ofcourse the ultimate way to preach god, but the time in your life would be limited due to work, and other things.


You dont have to try hard to reach god, its actually as if your forcing yourself when there is no need.

Listen to shabad, if you have passion for it. Meditate lightly and one pointedness towards god. Do everything in the heart, just don't rush it.

People are different, and all in all leads to the same ultimate god.


We say people should become sikhi but we are always forgeting that, this world is already perfect the way it is. Its only us that take things wrong, its our mind. God is in your heart, and that concentration you get when meditating is god. God is the silence the fearless and all existing. You would have confidence in your concious when you think you have found god.

Just relax and the way to pray to god, is by meditating the best way you can, and read as much as you can, but slowly (sri guru granth sahib ji), etc. Lisen to shabad, the ones that make you feel more inspiring.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT FEELINGS TOWARDS GOD...GOD IS YOUR INNER STATE WHICH IS HARD TO DESCRIBE ,BUT IS FULL OF LOVE.


G O O D L U C K and B E S T of W I S H E S
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  #49 (permalink)  
Old 24-05-2006, 07:13 PM
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Re: Meditation on God Help >> Email This Topic To Your Friends

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal!
Manvir Ji!

Quote >>>Meditation is in its experience. Each one has different experiences. <<<
Is this the reason people have different Gods and religions?

Quote >>>In meditation we touch the yarn of the fabric of the Creator and awaken to the glory of His creation. We understand that our minds are but part of His mind, our breath is but a manifestation of His life, and our thoughts are but His power flowing through us. We comprehend that our voice was given to hum His glory, our hands to do His work, and our hearts, to feel Him through the glow of His love. <<<
Thanks for soothing words. I have read those often earlier too. Please explain how it becomes possible to taste it?

Quote >>>Likewise, using holy words during mediation, some people able to feel connected with God. Others without holy words are connected. Its all about individual, how he wants to be connected. <<<
Is it true that an individual need to wish it and it works?

Quote >>>Most of the time we are either thinking what happened in past or concerned about future. Meditation brings awareness & bring the mind to the Present. <<<
Have I understood it correctly? No thoughts are existing right now.

Thanks.

**************

Anoop Ji!
You wrote "In sikhism, there were methods which were suitable to those people at that time."
Are those methods no more suitable for the people now?

Quote >>>IF it says in sikhism to do this, to do that... think first if you are capable of doing it. <<<
Should a person do something to become capable? Please explain.

Quote >>>People are different, and all in all leads to the same ultimate god. <<<
It is surprising why people are trying to reach God when everything is God.

Quote >>>PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT FEELINGS TOWARDS GOD <<<
I have heard God feels same toward all.

Quote >>>GOD IS YOUR INNER STATE WHICH IS HARD TO DESCRIBE ,BUT IS FULL OF LOVE. <<<
They hear God saying "All is my outer state easily described in full of love."

Love.


Balbir Singh
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