It is drizzling. It's normal during this time of the year, the monsoon has finally set in. I hear my doggy bark everyday at this dark hour. Being a ex-mariner I am used to awakening at odd hours. But I wonder how my doggy wakes me up at the same time each morning give or take a few minutes at the end of the 'graveyard shift' as we call it at sea.
About fifteen minutes later I have had a cup of coffee, my bath and freshened up. 15 minutes is so luxurious, esp as a sailor it feels so generous.
I end up with the bike key in my hands each day. I love my Jeep but it's the bike each morning I crave for.
0330 hrs Lt, I hit the road. It's drizzling most days of late. Or is it?. It feels like the waheguru Simran in my soul and lips is cleansing the inner self while the rain is cleansing my flesh. It's not too cold, in fact it's pleasant and the ride to the Gurudwara is tranquil and sedate.
0400 hrs Lt, basking under the Nishan Sahib is a privilege. I spend a few minutes here in the cold rain staring at the stars. 58 stars are used for navigation at sea and out of habit that haunts and curses a captain at sea forever i begin to identify the visible stars, read the sky and decode the weather for the day ahead. A weird habit no old sea dog can ever get rid of.
It's dark. It's perfect. It's reality personified. Just the Guru Ji is illuminated while the rest of the darbaar is in darkness. Just the silhouette of the Bhai ji (3 of them) and maybe 5 of the sangat present are visible. How apt !. I repeat this to myself each day.
The bhai ji at our gurudwara has a voice that sends shivers down ones spine. I recall tears in almost every sangat present when the shabad of chotte shahabazyade was sung a few days back. One could picture it happening, his voice is haunting. So much bairag, so much longing - sings from his soul.
The Simran starts soft and slow and builds up to a cresendo. At home Simran is uplifting too but here it is a revelation. It's apparent - the flow of energy all around and within.
I know now why visiting a gurudwara is turning nessesary to me. I am no scholar, i can't even decipher the teachings of the Guru. A mate of mine at sea once asked me what is achieved by going to the Gurudwara. I told her that it just felt like a 'port of refuge', a safe haven. That is how it feels here to me. The worldly storm rages outside and my ship gets damaged in more ways than one. So I seek this sanctuary and tend to the vessel, get her back in shape to face the turbulent oceans again.
What do I seek at amrit vela?. Nothing. I just feel the need to drift at sea. It's like a 'dead ship condition'. Quiet, dark, at the mercy of the waves.
What do I find at the amrit vela?.
So so much. Peace, contentment, strength, hope, clarity, solitude, solace, joy, gratitude and much more.
After Asa Di var and a single shabad the ardass is so uplifting. At times I have had to open my eyes to check if the ardass was being recited or if this was a conversation between the bhaiji and the Guru Ji. So captivating is the ambience and so surreal is the profound aura of the amrit vela.
Astronomical twilight, as we sailors call it is the most powerfully peaceful of all or else the 0400 hrs Lt or so give or take a quarter here or there. (Mate's watch)
Because to a beginner like me my engines are not powerful enough to overrun the storm of life. Because at this time the other things are favourable. A good night sleep behind the wake, a fresh bath and a rested body. A empty mind (less emptier than say at 1000 hrs Lt or so at least) and minimal external disturbances and distractions. So a weakling like me can ride the wind and get away with minimum engine power by milking the favourable conditions.
The ones who believe any time and everytime is amrit vela are powerful and blessed folks truly. Someday perhaps, but not now - not today. I am too selfish as I bask in the glorious and wondrous feeling at 0400 hrs Lt daily - my amrit vela.
I just do the Japji Sahib Ji presently but I hope to find the strength to do the full nitnem daily .
Whenever, whatever Waheguru commands....all I can say for now is Aye, Roger I await the command.
Wish all a good glourious Amritvela ..Over n out..
, in fact i don;t think i use any technique...
