Taranjeet Singh ji,
Guru fateh.
You write:
I have read your post in regard to your experience with Simran and japna etc and you have some mind-set about this. In any case I would like to know as to which part of the post you are not comfortable with except with the points stated above. We may not converge on certain points but the divergence should also be limited after all we are all sikhs.
I beg to differ with you. It is not the question of mind-set. It is the question of what our Gurus mean when they use the words
Simran and Naam Japnah.
For me the words mean to develop Gurmat thought process, through singing, listening, reading, studying, understanding and practicing Gurbani in our lives, so goodness can be bred within to be shared with others. Neither of them (
Simran and Naam Japnah) mean parroting or chanting to me. Brahmins/Pundits used to do that. They used to repeat OM again and again and they also urged their followers to do the same because they were the only one authorised to read their holy books. They had the monopoly over them.
But thanks to Guru Nanak, he showed us how mechanical rituals are futile and useless and opened his thought process to all so everyone could enjoy the Amrit.
Ambarsaria ji has also shared some valueable information about the meanings of the above words in discussion from the Mahan kosh. I am sure you must have read it and I happen to agree with those definitions.
Before I indulge in further I would like to know:
What are your specific views :
1.Should sikhs stop doing simran and japna.Is it against our religion?
Read my answer above. You have to understand what Simran and Naam Japnah means and it is NOT parroting one or 2 words according to Sikhi.
2. Should we only read bani and interpret it and realize by reading only?
Read the answer above.
3. Should we always be listening to Katha Keertan and not have some private moments with him alone; Is sikhi against this?japposatnamwaheguru:
Ik Ong Kaar is omnipresent, so with every breath we take, it is a private moment with The Source for me. How can Sikhi be against the omnipresence? Please explain because it is in no one's hands. I am a bit confused at your assertion.
4. Does it really matter if we carry on as it suits us.?
First of all I am confused by what you said. Suit what and about what? Are you talking about your feelings or are you talking about learning from 1429 pages of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, our only Guru?
If what suits you turns out be a mechanical meaningless ritual, then you should dwell into Gurbani and find the answers for yourself about it because that is what Guru Nanak told us not to indulge into. Only you can find your own answers with the help of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji,our only Guru.
Please read the following described by Ambarsaria ji from Jap Pauri 21. It clearly explains what suits us is not valid. Now, if you have a different interpretation about it, please share with us so we can all learn from it.
http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/jap-j...gians-japji-sahib-21st-pauree.html#post158152
5.I am neither a puritan nor cynical. But there should be some beginning somewhere at some point of time. Bani is fairly voluminous. Having understood the essence ,It is important to practice it also. What are your specific views on this?
Pardon my ignorance. I have no idea what you mean by the above. Please elaborate is with the help of Gurbani.
We all have our opinions and we may differ but let us enjoy our self where we converge.
I totally agree. That is why Sikhi is the journey of the individual and it is important for us as individuals to find out what the words in the Gurbani mean and what message our Gurus are sending to us in order to become better beings.
Let me clarify with an example. With due regards to Ambarsaria ji, I am not at all in agreement the way Sukhmani sahib is being done here.To me it seems as if I am misled. I made my point twice.
Well, if you see Ambarsaria's ji remarks, he always asks for the input from all, and the basic idea of this forum is to express yourself even if you disagree with someone but explain your personal views first rather than lancing questions about someone else's interpretation.
Once again, the best way would be to give your own interpretation through which all of us can learn the same Shabad from your angle. I have always been doing the same myself on many Shabads posted by Ambarsaria ji and/or others. I will be waiting for your own interpretation of the Shabads that have been posted by Ambarsaria ji. In this case we can all learn from all.
But it shall be very embarrassing for me and to Ambarsaria ji [I shall now address you as Amber, if it is O.K. and please confirm as well] as well if I try to harp on the same tune time and again. Let him do that he is doing. All I can do is to not involve myself in any argument that may be painful to both of us. In this democratic set up we have right to opinion and to express the same in a pleasant manner.
Interaction is not an argument but a learning process. Offer what the message of the Shabad is to you. This is the only way we can learn from each other. This is the reason our Gurus did not put this beautiful poetry into prose to explain it to us and hand it over a platter. They left the interpretation on us and poetry's interpretation changes with time due to our own life experiences and our personal inner development that life offers us.
You have asked me to state as to what should we do with 1429 pages. I am too young to suggest anything. Ask this question to Guru ji sincerely from the core of your heart and all your queries would be answered. He is too kind and listens, it is my experience.
Thanks for prejudging me. Your above post implies that I do not listen to Guru ji. Only you do and you are the only one who holds the "magic key".
When Guru Nanak said that each of the people can be good in their respective religions provided they do good to all humankind, it meant he did not prejudge anyone but gave the benefit of the doubt to all. This is the true Sikhi trait and the wonderful learning process that Guru Nanak and other Gurus gave us the tools to, so that we could make our inner progress towards THE ONE.
So, I will be waiting for your own interpretation about Sukhmani. Amarpal ji has also given his interpretation which you can find in this forum. More the merrier.
Do not hesitate to share what Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, our only Guru shows you. Vand kei chaknah also applies to the soul food.
Regards
Tejwant Singh