Sikh Missionary Society U.K. (Regd)
10, Featherstone Road.
Southall, Middx, U.K. UB2 5AA
Tel: +44 020 8574
1902
Fax: +44 020 8574
1912
Reg Charity No: 262404
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Sikh Missionary Society U.K. (Regd)
10, Featherstone Road.
Southall, Middx, U.K. UB2 5AA
Tel: +44 020 8574
1902
Fax: +44 020 8574
1912
Reg Charity No: 262404
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Meditation at Bakala
"My Father and Mother contemplated on the Unknowable;Guru Gobind Singh Ji in His autobiography bears testimony to the long meditation of both Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Mata Gujri. Since Mata Gujri is also mentioned in this context, it should be clear that it was not a meditation of the recluse. It was a meditation of a householder leading normal life (which is the philosophy of Guru Nanak). The austerities mentioned by Guru Gobind Singh are not Hatha Yoga, Mantar-yoga or Raj-yoga of the Hindus nor is it the mysticism of the Sufis, since both of these cults preach, in one way or other, directly or indirectly, to renounce the world and the worldly affairs. This meditation was, therefore, Guru Nanak's Sahaj-yog i.e. contemplation of the Holy Nam given by the Guru while performing in the duties assigned by the Supreme Being.
They practised austerities for long;
Since they served the Unknowable so much;
The Supreme Being was pleased over them."
(Bachittar Natak - Guru Gobind Singh)
This meditation for 26 years by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is also a training
to the Sikhs that while earning our living by honest and hard work; sharing
our earnings with the needy, we have to contemplate on the All-pervading
Invisible Supreme Force. This is the triple formula of Nam*,
Dan**
and Isnan*** of the Khalsa. Nam is to strengthen
the unity of the world. We become as we think. When we think of One Force
or Energy pervading all over - in all of us, there will be no hatred or
malice or discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, colour or country.
And our honest and hard earnings will leave no place for corruption. Our
vow to share our earnings with the needy and the destitute will eradicate
the sense of lust for power and wealth. A society based on this formula
will be a perfect society of perfect men, and that is what the Great Guru
wished to achieve.
* Nam - Meditating on God's name.
** Dan - Sharing one's earning.
*** Isnan - taking bath before morning prayers
Guru Tegh Bahadur moved to Bakala after His Father Guru's Ascent at Kiratpur Sahib, to stay there with His mother and His wife. Bakala was the home village of His mother Mata Nanaki. He was fully alive to the political situation in the country and the miserable plight of His country-men. Though He devoted more time to the contemplation of the Holy Nam of the Wonderful Lord, he attended fully to the visitors who came to him and also went out for sport as usual. He took bath in the early hours of the morning, recited the Nam and the Gurbani, and took meals at regular intervals. He did not become a recluse. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji meditated like this at "Bhora Sahib" in Bakala for nearly 26 years before the Divine Spirit of Guru Nanak was transfused into Him by Guru Hari Krishan Ji from Delhi.
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