Naam Simran made easy

Written by Dya Singh (Australia)

Simran in Sikhism signifies meditation. The prime purpose of meditation is to improve
the quality of living. This is possible if we regularly become one with our inner spirit/self
(Atma) which leads to union with the ‘Creator’, the ‘Source of Being’, the ‘Source of
Existence’, more commonly known as Waheguru Parmatma (God). Our Atma (soul) is
the seed of Parmatma. Our Atma is like the wave which originates from the ocean, our
God. It is the flame which originates from creator, momentarily takes shape and then
recedes back into its source.

To most of us quality of life is primarily what we desire most in this human form.
Basically these desires culminate into the following tangible/objective categories:
health, wealth and success.

We collectively have one desire which is intangible and subjective...HAPPINESS!

The first three are the sum total of all our materialistic desires. Human life, the Sikh
way, as a grahasti (householder/worldly person) requires such aspirations - they are
essential ingredients of human life. Sikhism does no advocate renunciation or becoming
an ascetic. Sikhs must study/work hard, earn an honest living, be successful, share our
earnings with those in need and, at the same time, seek spiritual enlightenment. Sikhs
contribute positively to society, and do not become a burden on it.

Happiness, on the other hand, is a very elusive pursuit. My life experience to date is
that true happiness only comes if we develop a degree of contentment (santokh).Which
comes with spiritual enrichment and the awareness that materialistic achievements are
only illusory. We need to develop the ability to achieve worldly success, yet being able
to detach ourselves from the end results - this is the key to ‘santokh’. We have been
given the gift of human form and we are advised by Guru Ji that this form has been
granted to us so that we make an effort of meeting our ‘Karta Purakh’, the creator.
(Bhayi prapat manukh dehoria, Gobind Milan ki eh tere beria.)

Therefore, though the basic necessities of living - health, wealth and success are very
important,we must place meeting Waheguru as our prime motive in human life. Our
efforts in getting closer to the ultimate aim of meeting Waheguru bring us health,
wealth, success and, most importantly, happiness. Happiness can only come with Naam
Simran. I know a great number of successful people who are extremely unhappy
because they lack spiritual nourishment, and suddenly find an emptiness which just
cannot be filled. This emptiness is spiritual thirst. We must do something about this
spiritual thirst from the earliest possible moment like right now, if we are already doing
something about it.

I believe all Sikhs should be encouraged to do Simran in a systematic manner as a
personal effort besides listening to tapes of mool mantar, and reciting it in Sangat.