Divine Meditation
Until now, we were chanting the Name (Naam Jap) while sitting, standing, walking, and moving. In this part, we will understand how to chant the Name while sitting in one place with full concentration.
How to Chant the Name with Focus:
Sit in one place. Dim the lights in the room, leaving only a faint ray of light. Sit in a place where there is no disturbance, meaning no one should come in and interrupt you.
Cross your legs and place your joined hands on your lap. Make sure you are seated comfortably (in Sukh Asan), without any strain on your body that could interfere with your concentration.
During this time, you must "lock" all your sense and action organs, just like a turtle withdraws into itself. Similarly, to focus during Naam Jap, we too must turn inward.
For Instance:
Chanting the Name "Waheguru":
The name Waheguru is formed from:
Va from Vasudev,
Ha from Hari,
Gu from Gobind,
Ru from Ram.
This name was revealed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji after deep penance over many ages.
The correct way to chant any Name is: when you inhale, say "Wahe", and when you exhale, say "Guru". Make sure each breath is conscious and full of awareness - with a witness-like attitude.
Practice this for 15 - 20 minutes daily. Daily means every single day without skipping. It's okay to forget a meal, but never forget to chant His Name.
"So kyun bisare jin sab kich diya,
So kyun bisare ji jeevan jiya."
Meaning: Why forget the One who gave us everything, who is the very support of our life?
Take a 40-day vow. In the beginning, you may feel your thoughts just won't stop, and you're unable to concentrate. But don't fight your thoughts. Observe them and let them pass. Then return your focus to your breath, and resume chanting the Name.
Slowly, you will find yourself reaching a new level - a state of stillness, known as Shunya (Zero state).
There is a line in Gurbani:
"Charan sharan gur ek painda jae chal,
Satgur kot painda aage hoy let hai."
Meaning: Take one step toward the Guru, and the True Guru comes a hundred steps forward to embrace you.
So, why leave the Divine alone even for a single day?
By the end of the 40 days, you will find yourself transformed. At first, you will do Naam Jap with focus, but soon, focus itself will begin to hold you naturally.
In the next chapter, we will explore the Shunya (Zero) state.
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