God, does He/She really exist? (Part 1 of 3)

 

Discussion this week with my father was particularly very intriguing, stimulating and thought-provoking.  We talked about God consciousness.  Does God really exist? Why is Sikhism there are numerous names for the Divine despite the belief in one supreme God ‘EK Omkar’ (who prevails in everything)?  Has anyone seen It/Him/Her (including Prophets, Gurus, Sages or even any mortal)? etc.

In the foundational Sikh prayer, the ‘Mool’ or ‘Mul’ ‘Mantar,’ the nucleus of Sikh beliefs, he shared that our first teacher Babaji Guru Nanak, simply and poetically rendered this prayer upon realizing the Divine (and that all Sikh scriptures including ‘Guru Granth Sahib Ji,’ ‘Japji Sahib’ have the ‘Mool/Mul Mantar’ as a foundational prayer so that Sikhs can first learn, understand, live and embody the ‘Mool/Mul Mantar’ and remain in reverence of the Almighty).

Mool/ Mul Mantar –  Ek Omkar, Satnam, Karta-Purakh, Nirabhau, Nirvair, Akal-Moorath, Ajooni, Saibhang, Gurparsad, Jap!  Aad Such, Jugaad Such, Hai Bhee Such, Nanak Hosee Bhee Such. 

(by Shivpreet Singh)

Translation–  All pervading infinite spirit, Truth is Its name, Creator of everything, Fearless, Inimical to none, Immortal/Timeless, Unborn, Self-illuminated, he can obtained thru courtesy of the Guru, Meditate/ remember him! True in the beginning, True thru all the ages, True even now, Oh Nanak, It is forever True.

We further discussed that although we Sikhs believe in One Supreme God (Ek Omkar), who prevails in everything, however, there are numerous and multitude of names to call the divine (Just in Babaji Guru Gobind Singh’s Jaap Sahib there are approximately 900 names for God.  We don’t how many exist in ‘Guru Granth Sahib,’ in ‘Japji Sahib,’ ‘Gutka,’ ‘Pothian,’ ‘Nitmen,’ etc.

 

Next – Part 2 : Has Anyone Really Seen God?

 

PS –  A noteworthy post that I found very interesting was by Mr. Brijdeep Singh,  titled ‘Mool Matra, Fountain, Spiritual, Temporal Wisdom’,  available at: https://sikhsailor.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/mool-mantra-fountain-spiritual-temporal-wisdom/. This is a very wonderful and intensive spiritual, metaphysical, scientific and temporal interpretations of the Mool/Mul Mantar did with lot of love and ‘Bhakti’.  Thank you Veerji Brijdeep Singh Ji.

 

Creator, Creation and Naad…

 

In all Indo-ethnic religions (Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhism, etc.), it is believed that creation and life sparked from the Pure Being’s thought/sound vibration, and that this primordial creative sound wave that emanated from this ‘big bang’ is the sound vibration of ‘AUM‘ or ‘OM‘.  In sikhism, God is also called ‘Ek Omkar‘.   

This divine primal sound vibration ‘Naad’ is a cosmic dance between the ‘struck’ (Ahad) and ‘unstruck’ (Anhad) sound waves.  ‘Ahad Naad’ are sounds which we actually hear. They physically vibrate and travel thru matter and transmit their sound vibration thru movement of molecules structures, such as, a mallet hitting a drum, strumming of a guitar, water falling over the rocks, bees buzzing, etc.  Whereas, the unstruck melody (Anhaad Naad), is sound created without a physical subject or any external strike!  Everything in the universe vibrates at a different frequency, and all are connected. This vibration has no beginning or end!  All matter originates and exists as a projection of a conscious and subconscious creative force, which brings the particles of an atom into vibration.  From quantum physics angle as well, the base of universe is vibration, pure frequency!  Light, radiation, color, sound, heat, radio and matter, all exist thru vibration (even thoughts and brain waves)!  ‘Anhad naad‘ is the very sound of the cosmos and human consciousness that transcends space and time, and is constantly vibrating, creating and expanding the universe-indefinitely, endlessly.

God is ‘Anhad Naad’ or infinite voice. It is this unstruck melody, the hidden sound of existence, spirit of higher consciousness! In Japji Sahib’s opening hymn, Guru Nanak ji, calls upon God, the Creator, as ‘The Primal One, the Pure Light, without beginning, without end. Throughout all the ages, He is One and the Same (Āḏ anīl anāḏ anāhaṯ jug jug eko ves)’.   There is a divine sound going on within our body which can be heard only at time of deep, dedicated and disciplined simran (meditation).  Babaji Nanakji also said ‘Fortunate are those who listen to Anhad naad, all their heartfelt desires get fulfilled/attained (Anhad suno Bar Bhagyo, Sakal Manorathh poorey).’ In Anand Sahib, Guru Amar Das ji, our third Sikh guru, said Those who constantly sing Your name, glories and praises, get blessed with Your Name enshrined in their mind.  Whosoever’s mind the Naam abides, glorious divine melody of the Shabad vibrates for them (Sadaa sifat salaah tayree, naam man vasaava-ay.  Naam jin kai man vasi-aa, vaajay sabad ghanayray).

My Sweet, Sweet Parents…

First of all, I adore them! They are my first true love, my best friends, my confidants, my inner circle, my life coaches but above all, my first gurus.  Their advice always solid, practical and wise! They are balanced and never come unglued during life’s ups and downs, sorrows and joys, pains and pleasures.  They have taught my sister and I to be truthful, to work hard, to live within your means, to be self-reliant, to share our blessings, and to always remain in a state of thanks for whatever life brings our way.  Their philosophy is simple ‘ucha bol na boliye, kartaro dariye’ (be vigilant against becoming arrogant, it has no place with the divine, instead always live in reverence, humility and thankfulness for your benedictions!)

They are exceptional human beings who are loving, down-to-earth, peaceful, refined and satisfied folks, who exhibit great grace, kindness and respectful, and are in perfect alignment, and give liberty and determination to each other!  They always show their unconditional love, unlimited compassion, and total understanding to all (and life’s situation).  Their love and groundedness for each other and for us has been a real force in mine and my sister’s life!

Love you and thank you for giving birth to me.  I am truly blessed!

 

 

Jamaal and Jalaal…

b36974cf58cd6379e2359223bdbcdf4aToday my father and I contemplated on Persian words, ‘Jamaal’ (delicate beauty of God or ‘komal sundarta‘) and ‘Jalaal’ (the glory of God), that is often found in Guru’s bani.  He shared that the Divine’s Jamaal or beauty can be experienced by adhering to five virtues of – truth (sat), bliss/contentment (santokh), compassion/mercy (daya), love (pyar), and renunciation/sacrifice (tyag).
This, he pointed that we mortals often overlook, relinquish or gets lost, in our incessant quest for materialistic pursuits (maya).  However, to be aware humans who intuitively honor the God within us, we must continuously initiate, develop, expand and refine, on ideals of simple living, high thinking, ethics/ integrity, equality, treating each living thing with kindness, and training our mind to absorb these qualities, so that we know the ‘elegance and grace of God’ (Jalaal).

Naam Simran…

 

As I explore, investigate and introspect my very essence, existence and understanding of my ultimate self, I decided to do ‘Naam Simran’ to allow me to tap into the god-consciousness, and open myself to receive Divine blessing, grace, guidance, wisdom and inspiration to walk up to my guru’s gate, stay true to their teachings, pray for myself, my family and others, as I undertake this deeply personal and transformative journey.

I decided to do this with Nirinjan Kaur’s rendition of the ‘Waheguru Simran’.  She has such an angelic and open ‘Naad’ voice!  I can vouch that immediately to listening to her rhythmic and meditative simran of ‘Wahe Guru’, I felt uplifted me, filled my soul with ecstasy, opened my heart-center, and made me sing.  Like a cup of warm milk, I felt instant alignment with the Divine vibration!  Thank you Nirinjan Kaur Bhenji for this simran.  You are divine blessing for me to start this journey!  Click here to hear Simran by Nirinjan Kaur

‘Naam Simran’ is a cornerstone of Sikh spiritual practice, and is considered higher than simply meditating and chanting!  Perhaps the best explanation I found is from Late Yogiji Harbhajan Singh Khalsa of 3HO, who explained it to be a state of self-crucification, self-exaltation, and sublimity, where the fineness and refinement of the Divine ‘sound or vibration’ surrounds, envelops and embraces us all, to be understood, felt, enjoyed and acknowledged.  It’s an essence that allows us to tap into own exalted self! So profound! Thank you Harbhajan Singh Yogiji.

Simran by Bhai Harjinder Singh ji 

A Love Letter…

This is a personal saga! A preliminary and humble attempt to understand the heritage, practices, religion, traditions, customs, etc. of my family, my forefathers, my people and my clan. An integral part of my being!

I am not a scholar or expert.  This is a ordinary perspective of things and life in general from an ordinary Sikh family, conducted mostly thru everyday observations, conversations with parents, anecdotes, reconciliations and thru reminiscing. Love is always Puritan in nature, so please forgive if I unintentionally hurt anyone or any popular sentiments.

“God within us renders us, Incapable of hate and prejudice.” – Guru Nanak

4d0ed54eb6c45a974230607ec90e7bca