I Love Mantras

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ke Fateh In modern times we seem to be in a rush. Sometimes so much so, that we don’t stop to think about what we’re doing, much less take a breath. It’s easier for us to do things automatically, without thinking - simply for the sake of getting them done. We hurry to complete things and pride ourselves on being the fastest - like that makes something better than its slower version. We do things by rote - it’s the way we were taught or it’s traditional. I believe all these things are true. I also believe we are just plain lazy. I see the word rahaao  when reading/reciting Shabads. During Kirtan, I see it on the display. I sometimes hear it when a Hukam is read. Sikhs aren’t the only ones who are given some kind of instruction to pause and reflect. Another thing we have in common is that once we get to that point we quickly move on. We say or read rahaao  and then utter the next word - all without taking a breath. We don’t all do it,...

Language: Gurmukhi Source: Unknown Communities: Sikh, Sikh Dharma, Kundalini Yoga Author: Unknown Transliteration: Ardas Bhaee, Amar Das Guru Amar Das Guru, Ardas Bhaee Ram Das Guru, Ram Das Guru Ram Das Guru, Sachee Sahee Translation: The prayer has been given to Guru Amar Das. The prayer is manifested by Guru Ram Das. The miracle is complete. More Information: "Normally there is no power in the human, but the power of prayer. And to do prayer, you have to put your mind and body together and then pray from the soul. Ardas Bhaee is a mantra prayer. If you sing it, your mind, body, and soul automatically combine and, without saying what you want, the need of the life is adjusted. That is the beauty of this prayer." - Yogi Bhajan Ardas Bhaee is a prayer for miracles, said to grant the heart's purest desire, even prayers unknown to you. Guru Amas Das is the energy of grace and hope (of the hopeless), when there is no hope. Guru Ram Das is the ene...

I sit on the floor of the Gurdwara and take it all in. Watching the screen above the kirtan players, I carefully sing the words displayed on the screen. I’m thankful for the transliteration and the translation. Everything here is foreign to me. I’m one of three Westerners present today, and the only Western woman. As I re-adjust my legs, I see the word remember on the screen. For some unknown reason it jumps out at me as I continue to sing. I feel good when I’m here. It’s the kind of feeling you get when you’ve returned home after a long trip. My eyes remain focused on the screen above, but my mind begins to move inward. I think it’s strange that I feel so at home here. I shouldn’t, right? I’m not India-born. I don’t speak Punjabi or Hindi. I wasn’t born a Sikh. I didn’t even know a single Sikh a year ago. I admit that I feel a little conspicuous, but what I don't feel is uncomfortable. I hear "Remembering" whispered in my left ear. I turn, delighted to identify ano...