Samelan Theme: Gurbani Is Light Of This World . . . .

1. Welcome to SAMELAN 2001 Samelan Theme: Gurbani Is Light Of This World . . . . Through Guru Ji’s Grace I Attain Enlightenment Based on this theme, in this session WE will learn about...

2. What is BANI B Welcome to SAMELAN 2001 Who is a GURU A How Guru Ji and BANI….. Helps US C

3. Who is a Guru ? • The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word. • Made up of two words GU and RU • GU means darkness, RU means divine light • A person who gives divine light (guide) in darkness. He who dispels darkness with divine light. Part A

4. Guru Ji in Sikhism • The Guru in Sikhism is a perfect Prophet or Messenger of God in whom the Light of God shines fully, visibly and completely. • Guru is in union with Divine. • He ushers the devotees, the seekers of Truth into a spiritual birth. • Through Him the Guru, the Glory of the God is transmitted to humanity. • He know who we are, what we are, why we are. We dont need to hid from the Guru.

5. What is a PsychologyWho is a Psychologist • Psychology is the science of the soul and/or mind - Oxford • The person who treats the problems related to the soul and/or mind. • Has good knowledge of the soul and/or mind.

6. In the Good Old Days • The sangat traveled for days to reach Guru Ji’s camp or town eg Anandpur Sahib, Amritsar • They would stay there. Would get involve in the sewa and daily routine. • Divans would be held morning, evening and night. • Guru Ji would be present in those diwans, some doing choor-di-sewa for Guru Ji and some for the sangat. Kirtan in raags and taals would be sung. At the end, Guru Ji would give the order of the day ie hukamnama. • Guru Ji would meet the sangat and the people would seek Guru Ji’s advise, blessings, etc. • When they had learnt enough and were satisfied, they would go back to their hometowns, practiced and preached Sikhism. • Basically, when they had a problem they could meet Guru Ji and Guru Ji could advise or bless them.

7. What about now ?! • Physically Guru Ji was there to be their friend, their guide, their Psychologist. • How can that be true today ? Since Guru Ji is not Physically around ? • The Guru Granth is supposed to be “our living Guru” but how is this possible ?

8. Guru Ji is my psychologist • Guru Ji is MY FRIEND, loves me, and I can go to my beloved Guru when I need help, need a friend to talk with, to have someone to be with who will listen to me. My Guru understands me and will always be on my side. Brighten up your life. • ijsu imilAY min hoie Anµdu so siqguru khIAY ] mn kI duibDw ibnis jwie hir prm pdu lhIAY ] 168 • Meeting Him, the mind is filled with bliss. He is called the True Guru. Double-mindedness departs, and the supreme status of the Lord is obtained. • nwnk icMqw miq krhu icMqw iqs hI hyie ] 955 • O Nanak, don’t be anxious; the Lord will take care of you. So Why Are You In Darkness ?

9. Ú 1¹ Secret of Faith • Kabeer, the True Guru has met me; He aimed the Arrow of the Shabad at me. As soon as it struck me, I fell to the ground with a hole in my heart. || 157 || Kabeer, what can the True Guru do, when His Sikhs are at fault? The blind do not take in any of His Teachings; it is as useless as blowing into bamboo. • kbIr swcw siqguru mY imilAw sbdu ju bwihAw eyku ] lwgq hI Buie imil gieAw pirAw klyjy Cyku ] 157 ] kbIr swcw siqguru ikAw krY jau isKw mih cUk ] AMDy eyk n lwgeI ijau bWsu bjweIAY PUk ] 1372 • Children have a better faith in God then adults. Through time as we grow up we seem to loose faith. - Why ? • As we grow we become judgmental, critics, question, etc.. • Lets prove to ourselves - Lets SCREAM out loud. “ I LOVE YOU GURU JI !”

10. Bhai Nand Lal (1633 to 1715) Bhai Nand Lal was a great poet and close associate of Guru Gobind Singh. Bhai Nand Lal was born in 1633 at Ghazni where his father was a high government official. Bhai Nand Lal became an accomplished poet and was fluent in Persian and Arabic. He married a Sikh girl and eventually became a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh. He lived in close association with the Guru from 1697 onwards. Bhai Nand Lal personally accompanied Guru Gobind Singh to Deccan where the Guru was assassinated. Bhai Nand Lal produced a number of works about the teaching of Guru Gobind Singh and the code of conduct he laid down. The works of Bhai Nand Lal are given equal respect as those of Bhai Gurdas and are read in gurdwaras. Bhai Nand Lal died in 1715 at Multan.

11. Guru Ji’s 3 Personalities • Bhai Nand Lal was a Poet Laureate and the most dearly loved disciple of Guru Gobind Singh. One day in the month of Dec 1695 (Before Veshaki 1699), on the banks of the Satluj river of Anandpur Sahib Bhai Nand Lal asked Guru Ji….”Gurudev you say every Sikh far and near must seek the divine Presence of the Guru. Will you, Master, graciously describe your inscrutable presence and personality” • Guru Ji in reply,”I have three personalities and three different manifestations 1) Nirgun, Attributeless Form 2) Sargun Form with Attributes ie Physical form and 3) GurSabad, “Word of God” ie Spiritual/Mental Form • The Nirgun Roop (form) is beyond all human and earthly attributes, beyond the grasp of human reason, and it is described as “Not this, not that”. Just like the Sun reflects equally in all the vessels of water on earth, so also the divine eternal Spirit of the Guru pervades all, and it is there as the hidden Indwelling Spirit. (pauri 1-13)

12. Guru Ji’s 3 Personalities • The word of GOD as revealed in the holy Granth is my GurSabad Roop (the spiritual/mental form). Let him who wishes to hear my voice listen to Bani. The knowledge revealed in the Guru’s Word is the Wisdom of the Guru. Let him who wishes to talk to me, read the holy Granth. The holy Granth is my image and my living presence. Never doubt it not in the least. (pauri 14 - 20) • The Sikh (or Khalsa) is my Sargun Roop (Physical form). The Sikh who recites the morning prayer of Japji and Jaap. Puts his full trust in the word of the Guru. He should not commit adultery, leads a pure and noble life. He should serve the Guru humbly and with sincere devotion, his worship, his prayer and service shall understand my personality. (pauri 21-28)

13. Guru Ji’s 3 Personalities • Bhai Nand Lal again asked, “Master, your Nirgun form cannot be seen by everyone. A Sikh would be tempted to see you only in your physical form. How can we, Master, see your Nirgun Roop within this world. My lord of divine wisdom whose light shines in every heart, reveal to us the secret of knowing your Infinite Form.” • Spoke Guru Gobind Singh, “ Listen to my words. First a Sikh should pray and meditate on the living embodiment of the Guru or the Granth. Then concentrate on the holy Word, Naam of God. Put his full trust in the holy Granth (Sabad saroop waak jo dharay). To such a person shall be revealed the mystery of the Eternal Spirit of the Guru. (pauri 29-36) • bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ] 982 • The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him.

14. Gurbani - What is it ? • Bani is the message or law of GOD brought/sent to us through our Guru. • jYsI mY AwvY Ksm kI bwxI qYsVw krI igAwnu vy lwlo ] 722 • As the Word of the Forgiving Lord comes to me, so do I express it, O Lalo. • bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ] 982 • The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him. • jyqw jIau ipMfu sBu qyrw qUM AMqrjwmI purKu Bgvwnu ] dwsin dwsu khY jnu nwnku jyhw qUM krwieih qyhw hau krI viKAwnu ] 734 • You are the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts, my Primal Lord God. So speaks servant Nanak, the slave of Your slaves; as You make me speak, so do I speak. • siqgur kI bwxI siq siq kir jwxhu gurisKhu hir krqw Awip muhhu kFwey ] • O GurSikhs, know that the Bani, the Word of the True Guru, is true, absolutely true.The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it. • siqgurU ibnw hor kcI hY bwxI ] bwxI q kcI siqgurU bwJhu hor kcI bwxI ] khdy kcy suxdy kcy kcˆØI AwiK vKwxI ] • Without the True Guru, other songs are false. The songs are false without the True Guru; all other songs are false. The speakers are false, and the listeners are false; those who speak and recite are false. Part B

15. Bani and GurSabad Roop • Bani is also the Spiritual and Mental form of Guru Ji. • sy vfBwgI ij quDu iDAwiedy ijn siqguru imlIAY ] siqgur kI bwxI siq srUpu hY gurbwxI bxIAY ] • Those who have met the True Guru and who meditate on You are very fortunate. The Word of the True Guru’s Bani is the embodiment of Truth; through Gurbani, one becomes perfect. • vwhu vwhu bwxI inrMkwr hY iqsu jyvfu Avru n koie ] • Waaho! Waaho! is the Bani, the Word, like the Formless Lord. There is nothing other as great as it is. • bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ] 982 • The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him.

16. Bani Reading Exercise • We need to read Bani EVERYDAY. • Have you noticed that at different days different lines of the SAME nitnem are obvious, clear, manifest, etc. • Guru Ji REVEALS himself to us through the Bani that we read. • The more YOU read the more HE will REVEAL himself to you. • Don’t forget your physical actions as well.

17. Bani and the Mind • 1) The Bani of His Word emanated from the Primal Lord. It eradicates all anxiety. The Lord is merciful, kind and compassionate. • Dur kI bwxI AweI ] iqin sglI icMq imtweI ] 628 • 2) The Guru instructs His wandering Sikhs; if they go astray, He sets them on the right path. • BUly isK gurU smJwey ] auJiV jwdy mwrig pwey ] 1033 • 3) As a palace is supported by its pillars, so does the Guru’s Word support the mind. • ijau mMdr kau QwmY QMmnu ] iqau gur kw sbdu mnih AsQMmnu ] 282 • 4) For a moment of sexual pleasure, you shall suffer in pain for millions of days. For just an instant (a short while), you may savor pleasure, but afterwards, you shall regret it, again and again. • inmK kwm suAwd kwrix koit idns duKu pwvih ] GrI muhq rMg mwxih iPir bhuir bhuir pCuqwvih ]

18. Guru Manio Granth • We (or someone else in your life) all need help, love from time to time. • Do your ardas in the presence of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. (the physical form) • Take the hukamnama (the spiritual form) and understand what Guru Ji is telling you. (if you can or ask someone to take it for you) • Guru Ji’s hukamnama will guide you.

19. What is the Hukamnama? 'Hukamnama' is a Persian word meaning a royal decree. In the Sikh context this is considered the Guru's word's of wisdom (for the day). Sri Guru Granth Sahib is opened randomly to any page and the shabad on that page becomes the Hukam (command). This practice dates back to the time when Sri Guru Granth Sahib was first installed in the Golden Temple in 1604. If you truly desire to play the game of love with Me, then walk onto My Path with your head in your palm. Guru Nanak Love is the only way by which we all can see the light of GOD.Guru Gobind Singh

20. Motivator - Guru Ji is the BEST motivator. • Awsw mhlw 5 ] audmu krq hovY mnu inrmlu nwcY Awpu invwry ] pMc jnw ly vsgiq rwKY mn mih eykMkwry ] 1 ] qyrw jnu inriq kry gun gwvY ] rbwbu pKwvj qwl GuMGrU Anhd sbdu vjwvY ] 1 ] rhwau ] pRQmy mnu prboDY Apnw pwCY Avr rIJwvY ] rwm nwm jpu ihrdY jwpY muK qy sgl sunwvY ] 2 ] • AASAA, FIFTH MEHL: Making the effort, the mind becomes pure; in this dance, the self is silenced. The five passions are kept under control, and the One Lord dwells in the mind. || 1 || Your humble servant dances and sings Your Glorious Praises. He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. || 1 || Pause || First, he instructs his own mind, and then, he leads others. He chants the Lord’s Name and meditates on it in his heart; with his mouth, he announces it to all. || 2 || • mnu becE sitgur kE p;is .. itsu sevk ke k;rj r;is .. sev; krt hoiX inhk;hI .. its kPu hot pr;pit suuAmI .. • He who sells (surrenders) his mind to the True Guru; Such a servant gets his affairs accomplished. He, who serves the Guru without any desire of reward; Shall obtain (meet) the Lord. Pg 286 • sitgur kI sev; g;KxI isru dIjE Apu gv;iX .. sbid imlih t; hir imlE sev; pvE sB q;Xe .. • The sewa of Guru Ji is very difficult (hard). It is done by surrendering one's head (oneself) and by elimination of self-conceit (pride). With simran you realize God and your sewa becomes acceptable (and possible). Pg 27

21. Gurbani Motivates Us • 1) The Guru instructs His wandering Sikhs; if they go astray, He sets them on the right path. • BUly isK gurU smJwey ] auJiV jwdy mwrig pwey ] 1033 • 2) As a palace is supported by its pillars, so does the Guru’s Word support the mind. • ijau mMdr kau QwmY QMmnu ] iqau gur kw sbdu mnih AsQMmnu ] 282 • 3) BAIRAAREE, FOURTH MEHL: The Lord’s humble servant sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord’s Name. Even if someone slanders the Lord’s humble servant, he does not give up his own goodness. • bYrwVI mhlw 4 ] hir jnu rwm nwm gun gwvY ] jy koeI inMd kry hir jn kI Apunw gunu n gvwvY ] 1 ] • 4) For a moment of sexual pleasure, you shall suffer in pain for millions of days. For just an instant (a short while), you may savor pleasure, but afterwards, you shall regret it, again and again. • inmK kwm suAwd kwrix koit idns duKu pwvih ] GrI muhq rMg mwxih iPir bhuir bhuir pCuqwvih ]

22. How Bani AFFECTS us • Motivation is something “from within, not without, that prompts or incites an action”. audmu • Faith Motivates US, Lose your faith you lose your MOTIVATION. • Our Guru were VERY motivated. • Sikhs are VERY motivated people. • bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ] 982 • The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him. • HOW DOES GURBANI MOTIVATES US . . . . Part C

23. The Paradigm Shift - Gurbani works on our PARADIGMS • Paradigms – means it’s the way you see the world • It’s the lens through which we see the world • It comes from your frame of reference, social conditioning • They are the source of our behaviour and attitudes • We see the world as we are, we see relationship as we are, as we are conditioned to see it. • If you want BIG improvements in YOUR pursuit for UNITY with self and those around YOU, then change YOUR paradigm. • If you want to make small improvements in your SELF, change your behaviour or attitude. Our PARADIGMS are governed by our Security, Guidance, Power, Wisdom – its spells out who we are and how we react to the world.

24. Physical & Mental • SHALOK, FIRST MEHL: Beauty and sexual desire are friends; hunger and tasty food are tied together. Greed is bound up in its search for wealth, and sleep will use even a tiny space as a bed. Anger barks and brings ruin on itself, blindly pursuing useless conflicts. • slok mÚ 1 ] rUpY kwmY dosqI BuKY swdY gMFu ] lbY mwlY Guil imil imcil aUNGY sauiV plµGu ] BMaukY kopu KuAwru hoie PkVu ipty AMDu ] • If you desire to play this game of love with Me, then step onto My Path with your head in hand. When you place your feet on this Path, give Me your head, and do not pay any attention to public opinion. || 20 || • jau qau pRym Kylx kw cwau ] isru Dir qlI glI myrI Awau ] iequ mwrig pYru DrIjY ] isru dIjY kwix n kIjY ] 20 ] • When one’s actions are right, the understanding is perfect. Without good deeds, we are at lost. • jh krxI qh pUrI miq ] krxI bwJhu Gty Git ] 25 • These shabads show the link of the physical to the mental/spiritual

25. My Center - governed by four basic Principles Security Guidance ME Power Wisdom • Security • Represents your sense of worth, your identity, emotional anchorage, self-esteem, personal strength (or lack of it). Extreme insecurity to high intrinsic worth. • Guidance • Means your source of direction in life, your principles, what govern your every day decisions. Dependence to Independence • Wisdom • Represents your perspective on life, your sense of understanding, judgments, discernments, how various things and principle apply and relate to each other. Inaccurate to accurate • Power • Capacity to act, strength & potency to accomplish, vital energy to make choices & decisions, capacity to overcome bad habits for good ones. Puppet to high proactivity, act according to values.

26. REACTIVE PROACTIVE Stimulus Response Stimulus Response Freedom To Choose Self-Awareness Independent Will • BASED ON OUR PARADIGMS WE ARE EITHER REACTIVE OR PROACTIVE. • REACTIVE - Manmukh • Behaviour is a function dependent upon external condition NOT our decision. • Feel better when treated better. Response is based upon feelings. • Build their emotional lives upon behaviour of others, feelings, by circumstances, by conditions, by their environment • Empower the weakness of others to CONTROL us. • PROACTIVE - Gurmukh • Our behaviour is a function of our own decision NOT our conditions. • Responsibility and initiative to make things change • Response is based upon Higher Level Principles - BANI !!!. Imagination Conscience

27. Circle of No Concern Things that we don’t have no real concern about. Circle of Concern Things that we have have real concern about. Circle of Influence Things that we can do something about. By determining which of these two circles is the focus of most of our time and energy… We can discover much about the degree of our proactivity towards UNITY with SELF and Others. No Concern Circle of Concern Guru Ji - Bani tell US where is the Focus of OUR Concern Circle of Influence

28. Reactive Person -Manmukh • Focus on circle of concern. • Focus on the weakness of others, the environment, circumstances. • Their focus results in blaming, accusing attitude, reactive language, feeling of victimization. • Enpower things to control them. • Negative energy generated and neglect in areas they could do something about causes their circle of influence and unity to shrink. • Relationships & unity decrease. • Circle of Concern is based on the “have’s”…if only I have/had… No Concern Circle of Circle of Influence (Unity) Concern

29. Proactive Person - The Guru’s Way, Gurmukh • Focus on circle of influence or relationship building (unity). • Work on things they can do something about. • Their nature of energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their circle of influence to increase • Relationship develops & deepens - become united. • Circle of Influence is based on the “ be’s”…I can be loving, kind, tolerant …. Circle of Circle of Influence (Unity) Concern

30. Summary The Frog and the bucket of Water • If you take a frog an put drop him into a bucket of HOT water, what will the frog do? JUMP OUT! • If you take the same frog and drop him into a bucket of cold water. • It will happily stay there. • Now put the bucket over a stove and gradually heat the bucket. • Soon enough you have a COOKED frog! • MORAL of the story - Life happens gradually. Like the frog, we can be fooled, and suddenly its too LATE. WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US ! !

31. Summary provides to be Guru Ji & Bani you need Faith Success Poor Relationship, Low Self Esteem Promotes Failure Good Relationship,High Self Esteem Promotes Success determines Paradigms The way we see/react Proactive Reactive React based on environment, feelings, conditions React based on strong, timeless, Principles Increase Center of Influence Decrease Center of Influence YOU

32. I Have Met My Guru - Conclusion • The Physical and Spritual Form of mine is important. It is the Guru’s Form and it is his Khalsa’s Form, his Sikh’s form. Let Me not FOOL myself. Amrit is a MUST in my life. • I need to communicate with My Guru and My Guru wants to communicate with me. He does this through Bani. I must do my nitnem, learn to read the Guru Granth Sahib. • The Siri Guru Granth is truly my LIVING Guru in its Physical and Spritual Form. • I will ALWAYS go to my Guru for LOVE, Happiness, Help and Blessings. • bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ] 982 • The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him.

33. CONCLUSION - Final Words • The world works from the outside in, • God works from the inside out. • The world take the people in or out of slums, • Guru Ji takes the slum out of people, and then, • they take themselves out of slums. • The world would mold people by changing the environment, • Guru Ji changes people, who then change their environment. • The world would and can ONLY shape human behaviour, • BUT only Guru Ji can change human nature.