The word “Nam’ is derived from the Sanskrit Naman which means the practice of remembrance. Iris a word used to describe the spiritual manifestations of God i.e. His Holy Spirit. So the remembrance of God Nam Marg is the essence of Sikhism. The repetition of the Sikh mantra “Wahegumi” is an invocation of this Holy Spirit. Life without “The Name” or “The Word,” or nam Simran is barren and meaningless. “The Name” alone brings true peace of mind. The obstacles to “The Name” are wordily thoughts, sleep and occult powers.
“The Name” is inside every individual. The Guru reveals it to the devotee. The devotee does his normal duties with hands and feet, but he keeps his conscious mind in tune with His Lord. Some men practice “The Name” with the regulation of breath; they utter “Wah’ with inhalation and ‘Guru’ with exhalation, But this reflects individual convenience,
“The Name” performs three functions it is purgative for the removal of evil; it is illuminative, because it gives us knowledge of “The Truth,” Beauty and Goodness; it is unitive since it may bring one in tune with God, The remembrance is threefold: with words, with the mind and with action, The repetition of Gurbani helps the mind to concentrate on God. It is food for the soul.
The technique of “The Name” follows certain phases first the reputation of “The Nam”; Waheguru by mouth; secondly, the percolation of “The Name” into the mind, (mental remembrance), thirdly, the longing for God like a lover waiting for his beloved; fourthly the awareness of God everywhere; then finally the ultimate union with Him.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 1, 1993
