I thought there was another thread for naam jap.
Those who read SGGS ji know that meaningless rituals have no place in sikhism. So there is no need to write an essay on that as it is irrelevant to the topic.
I wish if the person clarifies his stand what he understands by naam jap. Gurbani stresses on each and every ang that there is no salvation without naam jap. No one is advocating that leave a householder's life for attaining that. To say that amounts to deliberate twist. However importance of nam jap can never be marginalized as Gurbani is very clear. Rehat maryada defines nam japna.
jaas japat bha-o apdaa jaa-ay.
Meditating on Him, fear and misfortune depart,
Dhaavat manoo-aa aavai thaa-ay.
and the wandering mind is held steady.
jaas japat fir dookh na laagai.
Meditating on Him, suffering shall never again overtake you.
jaas japat ih ha-umai bhaagai. ||2||
Meditating on Him, this ego runs away. ||2||
jaas japat vas aavahi panchaa.
Meditating on Him, the five passions are overcome.
jaas japat ridai amrit sanchaa.
Meditating on Him, Ambrosial Nectar is collected in the heart.
jaas japat ih tarisnaa bujhai.
Meditating on Him, this desire is quenched.
)
jaas japat har dargeh sijhai. ||3||
Meditating on Him, one is approved in the Court of the Lord. ||3||
jaas japat kot miteh apraaDh.
Meditating on Him, millions of mistakes are erased.
jaas japat har hoveh saaDh.
Meditating on Him, one becomes Holy, blessed by the Lord.
)
jaas japat man seetal hovai.
Meditating on Him, the mind is cooled and soothed.
jaas japat mal saglee khovai. ||4||
Meditating on Him, all filth is washed away. ||4||
jaas japat ratan har milai.
Meditating on Him, the jewel of the Lord is obtained.
bahur na chhodai har sang hilai.
One is reconciled with the Lord, and shall not abandon Him again.
jaas japat ka-ee baikunth vaas.
Meditating on Him, many acquire a home in the heavens.
jaas japat sukh sahj nivaas. ||5||
Meditating on Him, one abides in intuitive peace. ||5||
jaas japat ih agan na pohat.
Meditating on Him, one is not affected by this fire.
jaas japat ih kaal na johat.
Meditating on Him, one is not under the gaze of Death.
jaas japat tayraa nirmal maathaa.
Meditating on Him, your forehead shall be immaculate.
jaas japat saglaa dukh laathaa. ||6||
Meditating on Him, all pains are destroyed. ||6||
jaas japat muskal kachhoo na banai.
Meditating on Him, no difficulties are encountered.
jaas japat sun anhat Dhunai.
Meditating on Him, one hears the unstruck melody.
jaas japat ih nirmal so-ay.
Meditating on Him, one acquires this pure reputation.
jaas japat kamal seeDhaa ho-ay. ||7||
Meditating on Him, the heart-lotus is turned upright. ||7||
)
gur subh darisat sabh oopar karee.
The Guru has bestowed His Glance of Grace upon all,
jis kai hirdai mantar day haree.
within whose hearts the Lord has implanted His Mantra.
akhand keertan tin bhojan chooraa.
The unbroken Kirtan of the Lord's Praises is their food and nourishment.
)
kaho naanak jis satgur pooraa. ||8||2||
Says Nanak, they have the Perfect True Guru. ||8||2||
ang 236
Guru sahib says
na-o darvaajay kaa-i-aa kot hai dasvai gupat rakheejai.
The fortress of the body has nine gates; the tenth gate is kept hidden.
bajar kapaat na khulnee gur sabad khuleejai.
The rigid door is not open; only through the Word of the Guru's Shabad can it be opened.
anhad vaajay Dhun vajday gur sabad suneejai.
The unstruck sound current resounds and vibrates there. The Word of the Guru's Shabad is heard.
tit ghat antar chaannaa kar bhagat mileejai.
Deep within the nucleus of the heart, the Divine Light shines forth. Through devotional worship, one meets the Lord.
sabh meh ayk varatdaa jin aapay rachan rachaa-ee. ||15||
The One Lord is pervading and permeating all. He Himself created the creation. ||15||
ang 954
Guru sahib says in very clear terms
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਤ ਨਾਹਿ ॥:
Bin simaran mukti kat naahi:
Without the meditation, liberation will never be found
ang 971.