Simran
Part of a series on Sikh Beliefs |
Sikhism |
2. Three Pillars |
3. Five Evils |
4. Five Virtues |
Simran: Staying focused on Lord TRUTH
A teaching that staying focused on TRUTH (Thy TRUE Name) gains a person the humility to accept God's Will (Hukam) and become free of attachment. The person who wishes to gain and benefit from this human life and attain a higher spiritual state must, according to the Sikh Gurus, undergo the discipline of Naam Simran, remembrance, i.e. constant awareness of Thy TRUE Name ie TRUTH.
The act of Simran (smarana) is on the one hand related to the act of "surati" (sruti) (concentration, focus) ie: listening to the teachings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib ,..
.. and on the other to the function of "smriti", i.e. consciousness which means comprehension & retention of the teachings in one’s consciousness.
The notion of naam Simran is thus similar to that of "surati-sabda". At one level this involves the practice of naam japana or focusing/concentrating on the TRUTH, a long established convention whereby merit is acquired by devoutly repeating, understanding, comprehending & livig by the sacred word ( 'TRUTH' ) in real life. The practice is explicitly enjoined in the Sikh faith
Further, the discipline must be practised in a corporate sense...
...with devotees gathering as a fellowship (satsang) to sing hymns of praise (kirtan) of no individual gone by /living wordly person, but of Lord TRUTH.
All Aimed at Creativity
The final level is meditation. Akal-Purakh meditation is not merely mechanical repeatition of words or singing of hymns but also being in deep contemplation of the divine mystery of Lord TRUTH. Such repeated contemplation cleans the mind where in TRUE IDEAs by the grace of Lord TRUTH descend down.
All these practices constitute legitimate and necessary forms of naam simran; and all serve progressively to reveal the divine Name to the person who earnestly seeks it.
As Guru Ram Das, Nanak IV, says in Sarang ki Var, “Naam incorruptible is beyond our comprehending. At the same time, it is our constant companion and pervades all creation. The true Guru discloses it unto us and lets us perceive it in our hearts. It is through God’s grace that we meet with such a Guru” (GG, 1242).
According to Guru Arjan, God’s Name is the key to emancipation (mukti) and the means of attaining it (jugati); God’s Name is the fulfilment (tripati) and enjoyment (bhugati). He who repeats God’s Name suffers no setback. God’s Name is the devotee’s distinction. Repeating God’s Name the devotee wins honour (GG, 264-65).
Quotes
Simran to me means remembrance. I know I can recall to memory only those entities whom I know well viz. individuals, events, things, places etc. When I do not know about 'The Sat' (my way of referring to 'The Ultimate') how can I recall "The Sat' in my mind. The stage of evolution I am, contemplating on 'The Sat' is Simran for me. I exercise my mind to coneptualise the 'Nirakaar' i.e. 'The Sat; I think how can I merge with 'The Sat' etc, etc. this is Simran for me.
Repeatition of the word by which one refers to 'The Sat' is 'Jaap' for me. If 'Jaap' and 'Simran' were to mean the same, then there was no need for two separate words. These two wards exist because they convey different way of application of mind.
'Simran' and 'Jaap' are two separate practices for mind.
by Amarpal Singh