HIS Hukam shifts our lives, it has to happen.

 

Naam, Love and Healing

 Naam, Love and Healing

Naam is how Sach, the truth describes the presence of Ekongkaar, the  ONE who is formless and Eternal. HE creates from own self the duality which is our world. The created is ever changing but within it the presence of Sach is eternal. 

We are HIS light and are here to experience the world in all its nuances. We have a sense of separate identity known as Haume that veils our true nature. We identify our self with the body and the mind that thinks forgetting the light of Soul that is the light of our conscious awareness.

We get swayed by attachments, desires and the five passions and so suffer. Our body reflects state of our mind and is diseased. Our circumstances reflect our fears and anxieties. We hold grudges, resentments, envy and even guilt in our mind.

Gurbani tells us that HE whose light we are is pure and Nirbhau. Meaning, the fear is not part of HIM so it is created and exists only in creation. HE also is Nirvair in expression. Meaning, HIS expression has not an iota of enmity. HIS expression is of Unconditional Love. 

We being Souls with HIS light and ever connected in Oneness too have the true expression of Nirvair.

Naam, the true presence is our true identity. Naam settles in our mind when we stop identifying with sense of separate identity and are attached to it. 

Shed the illusionary identity of Haume by seeing HIS presences in everything. HE created so all is HIS. Our body, the Soul-Mind and all worldly objects and our creations and ideas. Consider fear to part of creation so also that which is not part of us. 

As HIS light which is our conscious awareness, express love. Keep this awareness within the mind meaning have awareness of HIS presence within and outside. Our attention when only in the created world takes its color. When attention is also within or frequently goes within then it feels HIS presence.

Have Naam expression of unconditional love in your heart. Be forgiving and grateful. Just love. HE is within us and each cell hold his signature of having come in existence because of HIM.

This unconditional love towards your body which is HIS temple and outside in everything as there too is HIS abode.

This expression of love would bring back balance. It would heal the body with means as is HIS will and the  life circumstances would all be resolved of issues.

This way we bring below what is above. As is above so is below. HE is Nirbhau and so also we become with Naam within our mind and Heart.

Saibhang: HE Creates from Ownself.

 HE is All in All, the formless One. Being One the Creation is created from own self, the duality.  The created is ever changing while Sach is Eternal.

HE is creation as Nirgun Jyote split as Souls with Mind.  These have Haume, a sense of separateness. It is a connected illusionary split.

All is His play.

We can perceive HIM only within. When we identify with HIM with Awareness, mind body as HIM then sense of separation goes and Soul- Mind with  Nadar has  Higher Awareness and feel union. The first indication of union is hearing of Anhad Sabad, the celestial Sound vibration. Then HIS Jyote illumination as Naam settles in mind. Detailed description is in the book, Living From Within.

Naam then settles in the heart, from where unconditional love is expressed.

Fear and it's expression anxiety, resentments, etc go away. Naam in mind and heart is a union an awakening to higher awareness.

Amazing is the way As is Above So is below.

The Soul-Mind has conscious awareness which is HIS. The intention is same as HIS Hukam.

The Soul too can split, as some choose so to fast-track with both having experiences. In last incarnation the soul unites  with one soul in two bodies. 

As is above so below. 

The union is a woderous expression of unconditional love. Soul is Akal, Jyote Swarupe . Expresses Nirbhau and  Nirvair.

It also expresses saibhang.  the two jyotes combine with shared presense  of two halves  with a bond of unconditional love along with HIM. 

 Such a wonder and amazing spiritual experience these souls have.

Is Healing at Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib a miracle ? Or Naamaukhad.

Healing at Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

We hear of reports of healing that occurred in Harmandir sahib, Amritsar. These are reported to be a Miracle.  Recently Ms. Kaveri a 15 year old girl who had bone cancer and got cured of it. There were several other reported cases including of a paralyzed boy who on getting up while bowing begin to walk. A popular case is of  Mr. Vasu Bhardwaj who was cured of cancer while on visit there. Also of  Ms. Sunita Rawat, who is reportedly  cured of  kidney Cancer after Holy Dip in the Sacred Sarovar of Harmandir Sahib.

Apart from these reported cases there are others too wherein Gurbani cured diseases. Only miraculous appearing are reported in media.

A healing is reported as a Miracle when -

• Occurs at a religious place
• as a result of prayer or recitation of Gurbani
• The cure happens fast and is not through mainstream medical treatment.
• Also, the state of mind of the person cured cannot be replicated by individuals in general.

In such a position we have to look at Gurbani for explanation and method.

Anyone doing vichar of Gurbani would fond that it says" the cure for all diseases is Naam". Gurbani calls the healing that Naam brings as "Naam Aukhad" meaning Naam is medicine that is cure for all types of problems. The above cures have aspects of not just faith  but a back ground of prayer and recitation of Gurbani Hymns.  Here the result are due to "Naam Aukhad" which can be had by other persons in general.

First let us look at the cause of diseases mentioned in Gurbani as "involvement with five vices" whereby the person is not aware of his spiritual legacy.

These five vices change the state of mind of the person. They harbor in mind resentments, anger, apathy, guilt, jealousy, feeling victim, unloved, pride, greed, attachments. Such a state of mind affects the functioning of the body which reflects the disease. Other causes are living in a negative environment, having negative experiences due to bad events. The causes are karmic in nature due to diverse reasons. What ever the cause it is the state of mind  and lifestyle brought by these which is reflected as disease in body.

Gurbani says Naam is the Cure.

Naam is our true spiritual identity. Gurbani says we have two identities. One is that of Haume, a sense of individuality that identifies with materialism and the physical body. Haume easily gets attracted towards the five vices. 

On earth which Gurbani calls as Dharamsal, meaning a place where both right and wrong exists. It is where Good and bad are there in the world. Here the circumstances are decided by " what we sow that we reap" rule. IT is our thoughts and state of mind that is reflected in body as well as life circumstances.

Naam is our true nature which is true reality. Naam is pure awareness of the Creator. Our conscious awareness  is the same light, Jyote that is the all pervading Jyote in creation that keeps giving rise to Creation.

Naam is Nirbhau meaning fear is not part of it. Fear is created part  of physical reality. It is not part of Spiritual reality.

Naam is also Nirvair, meaning no one is enemy. It is a state of awareness which has nothing connected with fear like anxiety, resentment, anger and many other negative emotions . It may be noted that fear is mot a single emotion but has many variants for example insecurity is a kind of fear while confidence comes from state of Love.

Gurbani Hymns are known to be of Spiritual origin. These have come from within to Saints and the Sikh Guru's. These hymns are called  Sabad meaning word of the true Guru. Sabad is Celestial Sound of Creation which brings vibratory as a field giving rise to five elemental parts of creation which are Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Sky ( space).

Gurbani recitation by contemplation of words in a state of prayer changes state of mind of the individual. When we pray and recite Gurbani then we connect with Naam. This repeated state of mind daily is reflected in general mental state and brings healing. This is Naam Aukhad which everyone can bring in their life.

Now the explanation of Miraculous healing. 

Gurbani explains that everything in this world is Hukam creation. This process of creation is happening every instant. Hukam is like the intent of creator ( Karta). It has all information and pattern that is created in the past, present and future.

Past in fact is a memory  and future is potential possibility. The present is Now that we are experiencing.

The Mool Mantar lines :

“ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥

Aad Sach Jugadh Sach. Hei Bhi Sach Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach,

Sach(true)  in the primodal time (aad) and Sach (true)  thereafter (Jugadh);

In the present is Sach (truth) ; and says Nanak, the Sach( truth) would be come ahead also.

(Guru Granth Sahib:1)

These lines tell that the Sach is an ever true eternally existing state of the Creator who is the ONE only, there is none other. The created is Maya and is HE ownself. Maya in a deceptive way hides truth or true nature of creation which is everchanging and never same. It only gives illusion of sameness but everything born or created ends or dies.

The Sach is Nirgun and ever changing creation is Sargun. The creation is a Nirgun-Sargun combination.

The Creation is brought by the Hukam which is Nirgun and past and future exists in Nirgun state.

Gurbani says that What is in the present, Hei bhi in the mind decides what would appear in the Sargun world out of the possibilities that are present in the Hukam in future.

The future possibility could be a totally cured state. a shift that is a new reality.

The reality in fact is always shifting to new. It generally is linear and follows event with linked  events. But many times it shifts to an unconnected reality by jumping events. If we look around we can find it happening many times in creation. Many have these reality shifts experiences. But are ignored.

Time does not exist at the Sach which is eternal. In sargun also time is an experience that emerges out of event flow seen as cause-effect. Science very well understands that time-space are different at quantum level of creation. Quantum state is nearer to the Sabad in Nirgun that gives rise to creation, first comes the subtle energy forms and then the material forms.

The miracles are in fact part of Naam Aukhad.

The fact is healing that occurs through simple medicines is also Naam Aukhad as Hukam causes events that lets us come to right doctor and right treatment.

Healing is in fact change of our state of mind to a higher positive level. We often let go of things that are holding us like a grudge, unforgiveness, guilt or a bad memory.  A change in state of mind and life style does bring healing.

Naam is our true nature. We should know more about it daily. We should do vichar (contemplate) on  Gurbani words. We should read books of those Gursikhs who have spiritual experiences and consider Guru Granth Sahib as Guru and Gurbani the illuminating light.

A simple prayer to the Nirgun Naam within brings synchronous events in the life that bring the right knowledge with understanding of Naam Aukhad.

Gurbani Sabad that describes Opening up of Khands given in Japji Sahib.

Now the below Sabad quote from my book "living from Within" that describes the opening up of Khands and the Naam Simran to be done. The state described is same as that in the Japji Sahib Khand descriptions.

 ਵਡਹੰਸੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੨ 

Wadahans, Fourth Mehl, Second House:

 ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ 

(There is ONE Creator whose Sabad and Hukam Creates. HE is the True Guru that who gives knowledge and changes us as Prasad.)

 ਮੈ ਮਨਿ ਵਡੀ ਆਸ ਹਰੇ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਪਾਵਾ ॥ ਹਉ ਜਾਇ ਪੁਛਾ ਅਪਨੇ ਸਤਗੁਰੈ ਗੁਰ ਪੁਛਿ ਮਨੁ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਸਮਝਾਵਾ ॥ ਭੂਲਾ ਮਨੁ ਸਮਝੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਧਿਆਏ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਸੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣੀ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਏ ॥੧॥ 

Within my mind there is such a great yearning; how can the Blessed Har Darshan (see the God) be attained. Then went and asked my Satguru, thereafter asking the Guru tried to make the foolish mind understand. The mind that has forgotten understands through the Guru Sabad that Har Har is to be meditated always. Says O Nanak, one who is blessed with the Nadar by my Beloved, focuses his consciousness on the Har Charan.

 (Comment:

 The above part of the Sabad words tells that when there is yearning within then the way is asked from the Satguru. The Satguru in this world is Gurbani. With Vichar (contemplation) the mind which has forgotten (i.e. having no awareness of Sach) comes to understand the Jap. When the Nadar is received the perception of Sach opens up towards Har Charan. The Charan in Gurbani refer to the Sach whose first mark of presence is Anhad Sabad. The attention is then placed on this as Sabad-Surt meditation)

 ਹਉ ਸਭਿ ਵੇਸ ਕਰੀ ਪਿਰ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਜੇ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਚੇ ਭਾਵਾ ॥ ਸੋ ਪਿਰੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਮੈ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਦੇਖੈ ਹਉ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਧੀਰਜੁ ਪਾਵਾ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਹਉ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ਸੀਗਾਰੀ ਸੋ ਪਿਰੁ ਰਤਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਅਵਰਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਰਾਵਿਅੜਾ ਸਚੁ ਸਵਰਾ ॥੨॥ 

I had dressed myself in all sorts of robes for my Husband, so as to please the Sacha Prabh (God) is pleased. But my beloved does not look at me so how can I obtain patience. For the sake of whom I had adored that beloved is with me but separate. Says Nanak, blessed, blessed, blessed is that soul-bride, who enjoys Sublime Husband Lord adorned with Sach. 

 ਹਉ ਜਾਇ ਪੁਛਾ ਸੋਹਾਗ ਸੁਹਾਗਣਿ ਤੁਸੀ ਕਿਉ ਪਿਰੁ ਪਾਇਅੜਾ ਪ੍ਭੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਮੈ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੀ ਪਿਰਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਮੈ ਛੋਡਿਅੜਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਤੇਰਾ ॥ ਸਭੁ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਜੀਉ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਭ ਕਾ ਇਤੁ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਭੈਣੇ ਮਿਲੀਐ ॥ ਆਪਨੜਾ ਪ੍ਭੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਰਲੀਐ ॥੩॥

 I go and ask the fortunate, happy soul-bride, "How did you attain beloved my Prabh. She answers, "My True Husband blessed me with Nadar; when I abandoned the mine and yours. Dedicate everything, mind, body and life awareness, as belonging to the Prabhu; this is the Path to meet Him, O sister". When my Prabh looks giving Nadar then, Says Nanak, the light merges into the Light. 

 (Comments: 

This is opening up of Dasam Dwar in Saram Khand when light merges with light. (This comes early) For that Nadar is needed. The hymn mentions the desire of the Soul bride to meet the husband. In spiritual language all the Souls are female and there is only one male the God. All the souls irrespective of male or female physical body are sisters. The bride adorns herself to entice through various means but is not able to do so. (These ways are like rituals, pilgrimages and fasting.) Then she asked the Gurmukhs (persons who are in Saran of Satguru within) who explained that the Nadar was received when they gave up “mine and your thinking” meaning Haume by considering everything, mind, body and life awareness, as belonging to the Prabh. In such a thinking you are the consciousness of the Karta Purakh in Mind-Body living a Human Life. Then when Nadar comes the two separate appearing lights are one.) 

 ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਭ ਕਾ ਮੈ ਦੇਇ ਸਨੇਹਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਪਣਾ ਦੇਵਾ ॥ ਨਿਤ ਪਖਾ ਫੇਰੀ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਵਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਪਾਣੀ ਢੋਵਾਂ ॥ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਸੇਵ ਕਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਣਾਏ ॥ ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਆਸ ਪੁਜਾਏ ॥੪॥ So I dedicate my mind and body to the one who tells me the message of my Prabh. I wave the fan over him every day, serve him and carry water for him. Constantly and continuously, I serve the Lord's humble servant who explains to me the sermon of the Har and only Har. Hail, hail unto the Guru, the Guru is the complete Satguru (True Guru), who fulfills says Nanak, the mind’s desires.

 (Comments: 

Gurbani asks that the one who does Jap has to help others also on this path. So sharing is advised and also to seek the company (Sangat) of such persons in whatever form whether through discourse, writing or dialogue. This learning endeavor has to be daily activity with a humble attitude. By asking to do seva of such a person the hidden meaning is not to debate or doubt but to listen, evaluate and learn. Then we are told that the True Guru is complete and is Satguru. A clarity is needed here. Above meaning is that any living person is not the Satguru as they are not complete. Only Satguru blesses with the Nadar. The Sikh Gurus always said that it is the Jyot within that is the True Guru. This True Guru Jyot is now in Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Jyot are the words of Satguru. The Satguru is Purakh so complete.) 

 ਗੁਰੁ ਸਜਣੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੇਲਿ ਹਰੇ ਜਿਤੁ ਮਿਲਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵਾ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪਾਸਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੋਸਟਿ ਪੂਛਾਂ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਂਝੀ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਾਂ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਾ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਸਦ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਮਨੁ ਜੀਵੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਣਿ ਤੇਰਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਤੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਇ ਜੀਉ ਮੇਰਾ ॥੫॥

 O Har, let me meet the Guru, my best friend; so that meeting with Him, I meditate on the Har Naam. From the Guru Satguru then I seek through dialogue to let me know so that I sing the praises of Har Gunn, the qualities. Let me do this singing of praises daily so that my mind lives by listening to your Naam. Says Nanak, in that moment when the beloved master is forgotten then in that moment my life dies.

 (Comment: 

 Here Karam Khand state is explained. It is after the Dasam Dwar opens up with light merging with light. Now begins the process of living as One light. As now the Naam has come to resides in the mind. Here living life through Naam Simran is being explained. On one side in the enticing world is Maya and its influence. This influence is also present in the Collective Consciousness. The mind is to learn to live in new thinking and within so that the perception of Sach is there. The Simran then is to remain within so that in the mind is Karta Purakh. When this Simran breaks then the Maya brings us troubles. The Simran is kept up day and night so that the light is sewn together with light. This is the brave act to keep up simran of being one light in the Karam Khand. Naam is Sach and the expression of Naam is of joy, of Oneness and of Love. It is the opposite of attachment. It is living the joyful experience of life. It is living in the presence. Hukam is seen in the beauty and workings of Nature. Hukam is seen in our participation in life in developing, building with passion. There is a sense of Karta at work. Our life starts being the expression of Naam. This Gurbani says is having the Sehej, a life of equipoise and is being One. The Living from Within is living an awakened life of awareness. This is being in Simran where Naam is in the mind all the time. The Surt then functions from within. This is living as Nirbhau with Hukam arranging the affairs in life.) 

 ਹਰਿ ਵੇਖਣ ਕਉ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਲੋਚੈ ਸੋ ਵੇਖੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਿ ਵਿਖਾਲੇ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥ ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਮਾਲੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਹਰਿ ਇਕੇ ਹੋਏ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਰਲਿਆ ॥੬॥੧॥੩॥

 Everyone longs to see the Lord, but he alone sees Him, whom the He causes to see Him. One upon whom my Beloved blesses with Nadar that ever cherishes by way of Har, Har (simran). He alone cherishes the Har, Har Naam always and who meets my Perfect True Guru. Says Nanak, Har’s humble servant and the Har become One by way of Har Jap merges with the Har. 

 (Comment:

 This is living in Sach Khand where there is One Existence. There is only one light, that is then the life in the body. The conscious awareness has the sense of Naam identity.)

 - (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang: 561)

Simran Experience :Simran Method Questions from a Gursikh

A Gursikh has recently asked questions on simran method through email. The questions and the answers are being shared for the benifit of the seeker who needs further clues . The Guru within guides and attracts in the life the book , article , Vichar and even a blog post for clarity. Harvinder Singh wrote as "I have read your simran healing ebook recently and I have certainly enjoyed reading it as the ebook content was informative as well as interesting. I have some questions regarding simran if you can please answer for me: (1). When I practice simran I normally do it vocally. I have difficulty practicing it mentally. What happens is that for a few minutes I can do it mentally, but after that my mind tires and I cannot hold this thought for too long. (2). Can one open their dasam duar if they do simran vocally? I would probably imagine one would have to do it for many hours a day over a long period of time? (3). How can one improve their concentration so that one can perform mental simran? " The Answer sent to this mail is as below : "It is Guru 's Mehar that opportunity for sangat on the topic of simran has come about. In the first question you have asked that : "When I practice simran I normally do it vocally. I have difficulty practicing it mentally. What happens is that for a few minutes I can do it mentally, but after that my mind tires and I cannot hold this thought for too long. " The Simran is different corresponding to the three levels : 1. Physical or Gross 2. Subtle energy plane– our emotional and mental body energies correspond to this plane.Also known as Astral plane. 3. Spirtual plane – also known as causal plane. This is a broad classification and we have bodies corresponding to these levels.We can place our conscious awareness (SURT) at any of these planes.Normaly the surt is enbrossed in physical plane during our waking ours. At the physical level the simran is vocal and is known as Jap and is done with the tongue. Jap is mainly done of gurbani shabads. Shabads are repeated again and again for Gyan , change of our state of mind (filling it with LOVE of Waheguru) and agreeing ( maniya) that HE is HAZAR NAZAR. Waheguru shabad recitation voiced outside be listened by the ears (Suniya) so that the SURT is pulled automatically inside. Then the Waheguru Gurumantra is spoken inside without involving tongue.Here also it is to be heard by the ears. The above is a tool or method only as the aim is for the SURT to meet the Shabad going on inside. The minds chatter goes on and on as it is the nature of mind.The SURT which is subtle goes beyond and above the viel of mental chatter. In Japji Saheb Guru Sahebji says as under :

suni-aa mani-aa man keetaa bhaa-o. antargat tirath mal naa-o.

When SURT is inside the simran is mental. Here feel the presence of Waheguru.When presence is felt recitation gets dropped .

Feel being filled with Light and love. All qualities are HIS. All is HIM.So our attitude should be of acceptance whether we like it or not.Feel your negative gross qualities going. This way the emotional-mental energies become lighter and after some time the do not have much strength to take you out unless you desire.

Your second question is " Can one open their dasam duar if they do simran vocally? I would probably imagine one would have to do it for many hours a day over a long period of time? "

Vocal simran is jap and a start.One should prefer to do vocal simran of Gurbani Shabads ( full bani , shabad or part). Gurbani is Brahm Vichar.Gurbani gives us Gyan. Gurbani speaks of Waheguru.The proximity increases.

We have to go inside .Be in a state of UNMAN,meaning our SURT is kept inward and are not attached with the outward world. This is even when our eyes are open. Even when we are sitting in a group. Even when we are doing work or walking.

We do have to concentrate on worldly things or work but then even without our awareness the subconscious is engrossed in simran in the same way as it does the driving automatically even when our mind is elsewhere. Subconscious then does what we normally do and drives the car on the daily route.

Sikh way is SURAT- SHABAD abhyas. The inner shabad when connected with surt pulls it through Dasam Dwar.

Do not focus on the "time taken ". Time taken is quite variable ,when conditions are right the next shift automatically occurs.

As I had explained in the Simran Healing Book our thoughts are creative.When we focus and believe in the thought that "time taken is more "it would the become our experience – time taken would be more.

Your third question is " How can one improve their concentration so that one can perform mental simran?"

A form of meditation is that Mantra word is recited inside with concentration.One comes back again and again when concentration is lost. I feel that this form of meditation is for a sidhi. Another way is to find gap between thoughts so that surt goes across.

Sikh way is Simran - meaning re- membrance .We are Jyote Swaroop and the viel of HAUME (separateness ) has to be lifted. For remaining inside with concentration. Practice is required so that the mind gets used to it.

One can also use the triggers for the shifts.Here is how it can be done.

After closing eyes do backward counting from 20 to 1 . (later it can be reduced to 10 to 1 or 5 to 1).

This acts as a trigger for shift to occur.Other triggers can be made are " Ekonkar to Gurprasad". One affirms mentally that "As I count from 20 to 1 my awareness focus will shift to …….and I would be connected with my physical body/emotional body/mental body/causal body (as per the reqirement)" When count is finished affirm that you are now in _____ Body. This method I advice for healing purpose but is good for spiritual practice as well in the beginning. Through this method one get used to be within..

When connected with physical body one can ask it to relax and remove any stress .In the mental plane we can remove mental thought forms or patterns .In the spiritual plane we can talk with our higher self or spiritual personalities.

Eventually we should listen to shabad inside which is sikh way. All this is a part of NAAM connection. "

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Plese feel free to ask and even share. A simran abhyasi should not shy away from sharing. Guru sahebji has said :

Visualizing ੴ Ikongkaar

 Visualizing ੴ  Ikongkaar

Ikongkaar is the core revelation by Guru Nanak  in Japji composition that is at the beginning of Gurbani, the words of Guru Granth Sahib. This word explains both the Creator and Creation as One Singleness which is expressed in manifold forms in created expansion of the One All in All.

We living in the world of form are not able to perceive this truth. We neither can see it nor know much about true reality. We have an idea that my deep mediation we can have vision of our true self . We expect to see a bright light brilliantly shining appearing before us. This is the general belief.

Gurbani says the Karta (creator) is Formless, Colorless, Imperceptible, limitless, Eternal, Unseen  and Pure. How then can we visualize the Karta?

Gurbani talks of experiences on the path of Naam Jap it explains. First is hearing the ever flow of Anhad Sabad , the Celestial Sound  within. It is an unstruck sound meaning the origin is not like the sound that comes when objects strike together like in our world of form. Second is feeling of the "presence" which Gurbani calls " Hazuri" meaning feeling the Ekankar's ( One who is formless) presence all around. Third is seeing the white illuminating light within coming from top of head and illuminating the body. This vision is seen within. This is an experience of seeing the Jyote (light) which is the consciousness that is within us and all around. Our world is a world of duality. The Jyote is life in creation. It's absence is darkness.

Ikongkaar cannot be visualized as an image but as a "Feeling and Idea". The following lines of Gurbani brings the idea of Ikongkaar.

ਸਰਗੁਨ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧੀ ਆਪਿ ॥ Sargun Nirgun Nirankar Sunn Samadhi Aap.

Sargun ( world of form)  and Nirgun ( The Ekankar's presence)  is all Nirankar ( formless One)  who Himself is in Sunn ( silence of no movement)  Samadhi ( a state of  singularity).

 (Guru Granth Sahib: 290)

The One who is formless is also the duality of Nirgun-Sargun. The above line is a broader idea of Ikongkaar. When we read the  hymn composition  which is describing the state of Sunn Samadhi then the visualization through "feeling and idea" can emerge.

ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥

ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥

Arbad Narbad Dhundhukara.  Dharan na gagna hukam Apara.

Na ḏin raen na cẖanḏ na suraj sunn samaḏẖ lagainda. ||1||

For eons which are unknowable as like a dark mist, as there is no earth and sky other than the presence of immense Hukam. There was no day or night, no moon or sun; only the assumed state of Sunn Samadhi.

(Guru Granth Sahib: 1035)

There is nothingness of creation here nor any time. The Sunn is like a silent state of Samadhi because of singleness. The manifold presence of forms is only in the created world which Hukam Creates.

This idea and the feeling of presence is one possible way to visualize Ikongkaar as a drop in the endless presence.