Thursday Jan 24, Day 30 of Post- Solstice Sadhana Support Blog
Sat Nam sweet souls!
A week ago I wrote about getting up in the morning and maintaining the morning sadhana routine while on a more rigorous daily schedule (even though holidays can be exhausting as well!). As you might know, I have been reading the English translation of Sri Guru Grant Sahib since the end of last August, spending anything from 15 minutes to three hours a day reading (except at Solstice I chose to use my time differently). I completed my first read- through this Tuesday, exactly one month after taking amrit at Winter Solstice. On most days I got applicable information about life in general but there were times when the message was truly distinct. This mostly happened with questions that were sincerely important for my soul on that time or day.
The next morning after my post for you I sat own and started reading….I had had a few days of not reading that much so I was looking forward to spending some more time with the Guru. What I read was amazingly connected to my blog- post, very cool! Because I am excited about having a guide like this in my life, I want to share a few quotes from that morning with you all. They are both on Ang 1371 (ang means “limb” which is used instead of “page” when talking about sections Sri Guru Grant Sahib. This is done out of respect, because SGGS truly is our living Guru and not “just a book”.)
Here was the first section related to my early morning challenge:
Kabeer: O conch shell, remain in the ocean. If you are separated from it, you shall scream at sunrise from temple to temple. || 126 || Kabeer, what are you doing sleeping? Wake up and cry in fear and pain. Those who live in the grave – how can they sleep in peace? || 127 || Kabeer, what are you doing sleeping? Why not rise up and meditate on the Lord? One day you shall sleep with your legs outstretched. || 128 || Kabeer, what are you doing sleeping? Wake up, and sit up. Attach yourself to the One, from whom you have been separated. || 129 || Kabeer, do not leave the Society of the Saints; walk upon this Path. See them, and be sanctified; meet them, and chant the Name. || 130 ||
Of course, this doesn´t talk just about waking up in the morning but waking up from the lifelong sleep with Maya and really using our time in this lifetime well by staying connected with our Divine Creator. That way we can live a life that fulfills our innermost desires. But I also see this text as literal message that the best way to do that is to get up early in the morning and meditate (chant the Name – Naam), because one day you will be gone and don´t have that chance anymore.
The other section was about organizing my time and procrastinating my actions:
Kabeer, that which you have to do tomorrow – do it today instead; and that which you have to do now – do it immediately! Later on, you will not be able to do anything, when death hangs over your head. || 138 ||
I feel that these sections also address one important issue I personally have not taken so seriously yet. The subject that we all will die and we should remember that every moment…Only then when we realize how easily this can all be taken away, out of our reach, can our eyes be opened to what is truly important. Are you doing those really important things now? If tonight should you take your last breath, what have you left behind, how did you spend your days? Did you make a difference, did you have an experience?
With these thoughts I want to wish you a weekend full of life,
Waheguru!
Namleen Kaur
Waiting for Amrit. Photo by Sahej Anand Singh
Please forgive me for any mistakes and misunderstandings I have, I am just in the beginning of learning…
Thank you so much for this post. It resonates with me. I struggle with early rises despite my best daily intentions. To be still and listen – I find incredibly challenging. I am new to Kundalini, and sometimes become so transfixed on correct posture, mantra or breathing that I lose all focus. To day, I simply got up, sat on the floor, closed my eyes and breathed. No expectations, or judgemental voice. Just in and out, Sat and Naam, Thank and you. Grateful for each breath – ready to seize the possibilities and face the challenges of the day ahead.
Sat nam, thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, it is not that complicated really but we tend to create too much pressure and expectations on ourselves. Start simple, and listen to what your soul is asking you to do. Why you do it is more important than what you do. My teacher Shakta Kaur in Chicago always tells us “it is the intention that matters, lean into the right direction and you will get the benefits”, so just keep up and you will kept up! You hear this a lot in Kundalini yoga but it works
– Namleen Kaur
Sat Nam beautifully expressed and the photo of Navleen Kaur is so inspiring – it takes me back to the experience of my Amrit taking.
Since this is a 40-days Sadhana Blog we are having 40 days of Group Morning Sadhana at Spirit Rising Yoga Center starting Sunday i/26/2013 – all are invited.