BhagatSingh Ji
Thank you again for the efforts you have gone to.
#1
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BhagatSingh said: "Once you have tasted an apple, then when someone mentions apple or the qualities of apple then you can picture the apple in your mind. In fact, apple is so iconic, if I simply said "fruit" most people will think of the apple.
"Similarly, if you meditate or even just read other parts of Guru Granth Sahib, then you'll know that shabad, even in isolation when you are only presented the shabad by itself, is talking about the meditation process."
Ishna said: "This makes sense if you think the Gurbani is describing meditation. So far in my own studies, I do not think it is. To me, the Gurbani is talking about achieving an holistic state of mind and being that includes a deep, constant awareness of Ik Onkar which guides and influences our thoughts and actions."
BhagatSingh said: "Like I said before this is the XYZ, the end-goal. There are many steps before that.
"What I am really trying (hard) to put forth is the basics of Sikhi. The basic meaning - the ABC, the methodology by which we progress to the goalpost you out-lined."
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I have tried meditation, but I learned more through a sehaj paath than any amount of meditation. The ABC, to my mind, is all contained in Guru Granth Sahib, and it really isn't complicated. The Gurbani itself just re-iterates beautifully the process of removing separation and merging with the Creator.
It's like one of those optical illusion pictures. I look and see a bird, you look and see a fish, and if we try we can see the other image. Our minds will intuitively have a preference for one over the other.
So while you can try to explain to me that inward meditation is the ABCs of Sikhi until you're blue in the face, and I can try to explain to you that constant awareness is the ABCs of Sikhi until I'm blue in the face, we aren't going to agree, because we're seeing this from different angles.
#2
Regarding the shabad you explained in post number 125, found on
Panna 183;
BhagatSingh said: "What does he give us? this tool - chant Ram - with the knowledge on how to use it - focus single-mindedly on it."
Does that mean you chant "Ram" during your meditation? Undoubtedly that instruction is found more often in Gurbani than to chant "Waheguru".
From what I understand, the chanting/meditating mentioned is about always retaining that awareness of Naam, which we learn about from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It's about never forgetting it, and carrying it inside like a parent does their newborn baby. The parent doesn't put their child out to play and then sit down and chant the child's name to keep them safe. The parent goes about their business with one eye on the child at all times, an ear out for a strange noise or a cry, always glancing up to check, never forgetting their child is there. The parent is virtually tethered to their child through their love. This is the true chant and meditation.
Gurbani says on
Panna 29 :
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
Gurmukẖ jap ṯap sanjmī har kai nām pi▫ār.
For the Gurmukh, the love of the Name of the Lord is chanting, deep meditation and self-discipline.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਦਾ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥
Gurmukẖ saḏā ḏẖi▫ā▫ī▫ai ek nām karṯār.
The Gurmukh meditates forever on the Name of the One Creator Lord.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਸਭਨਾ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੪॥੭॥੪੦॥
Nānak nām ḏẖi▫ā▫ī▫ai sabẖnā jī▫ā kā āḏẖār. ||4||7||40||
O Nanak, meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the Support of all beings. ||4||7||40||
The whole shabad is available
here.
This is a perfect example of the optical illusion effect. One person can read the above and understand it to mean that one loves the Naam by chanting, deep meditation and self-discipline. Another person can read the above and to them it means that loving the Naam is the equivalent of chanting, deep meditation and self-discipline.
This love of Naam can be achieved 24/7, day and night, constantly, while working and crying and partying. From it, all virtue flows. You can't actually sit and meditate/chant 24/7. Panna 29 goes on to describe more.
#3
But hey, if some people gain awareness by sitting and meditating, good for them if they can progress to carrying love of Naam all the time. Others may develop this love through reading, listening, learning, and living a virtuous life (which I'm sure meditators do, as well). I happen to believe that the latter is what Gurbani encourages moreso than the former.
Perhaps this is the wonder of Gurbani, that it brings the variety of humankind to Naam no matter if they see the 'fish' or the 'bird' within its pages.
