harsharan000

Among the many paths, the Bhakti Marg, is the wisdom by which one realizes Him
Below is an example, out of his numerous lovers
 
 

SSA Pen Jee,
your post above by itself is a sign of progress, be thankful to Him  for it, I am sure many of us would like to be in your shoes.
Having said that, if you want to go further, firstly do not rush, for it is no race with none.
Secondly, appreciate what you have achieved, and remain as a humble beggar at His door, for if you do His bhakti sincerely, be sure that He will not behold Himself, rather bless you more abundantly.
He is the source of all goodness, happiness, contentment, wisdom, peace ... so just be faithful at His door, for it is here where you will obtain all that you wish for, even to the extent of He Himself Waheguru Akal Purukh.
Stay blessed.

Wjkk wjkf ji veer ji First of all i would like to welcome you on this great website forum. Second its good that this website has inspiried as waheguru guru sahib ji does mahaan kirpa on anyone at any time so its great you found this website.

How is everyone? I signed up to this last week and finally got accepted. I got back into Sikhi after a VERY long time and I realized I wasn't even into it really before. I was just born into it but didn't know much due to being young and just paying no attention to it. These last 3 or 4 months, I have learned so much and it is amazing googling questions and finding answers and discussions. I never thought I would voluntarily go to the Gurdwara sahib every chance I get to listen to the Katha and listen to the Sukhmani Sahib or Kirtan on the way to work, etc. I just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to being a part of the discussions and asking questions and maybe even answering them one day. Thank you all in advance.

SSA Pen Jee,
your post above by itself is a sign of progress, be thankful to Him  for it, I am sure many of us would like to be in your shoes.
Having said that, if you want to go further, firstly do not rush, for it is no race with none.
Secondly, appreciate what you have achieved, and remain as a humble beggar at His door, for if you do His bhakti sincerely, be sure that He will not behold Himself, rather bless you more abundantly.
He is the source of all goodness, happiness, contentment, wisdom, peace ... so just be faithful at His door, for it is here where you will obtain all that you wish for, even to the extent of He Himself Waheguru Akal Purukh.
Stay blessed.

Very much inspiring.

Dear brothers Sat and Lucky,
you are real examples of devotion, from whom all of us can learn. Wahiguru showers His unlimited grace, on those who just like children, turn their faces towards Him. None of us knows how to do true bhakti, but He is so Dayalu, that even with our "kachee" bhakti, He is delighted and blesses us with His unlimited love.

As it is said, you take one step towards Him, and He comes running 100 steps towards you... It is He who plants His love in us for Him. Who are we? Just moorakhs, agyanis, and sinners...

I feel so happy for you, and anybody who tries sincerely to get closer to Him.


Needless to say, but be gratefull to Him, from the bottom of your hearts, for this His "bakshish". And keep steadfast with your spirutual practices at all times and under any conditions, so that He keeps showering us with His "prem bhakti", as this is the only wealth(Nam Simran), we shall take with us, when we depart from this perishable world.


As much as possible, keep your experiences with you, as these are individual and intimate with Him. Otherwise there is a danger, of even sukhyam ahankar arising in us ...people will praise you and get attracted to you, and if we are attacked by ahankar, we shall fall down from this narrow and slippery path.

The secret and success on this path, is based on humility, faith, and regularity in the practices, just like we eat food daily, the soul also needs the Amrit of Nam, to recover its strength and consciousness , then only, it can rub and shed the impurities(karmas, sanskaras, vices...) engraved on it since aeons, and get cleaner and purer, to move in the right direction, towards it´s Father´s House, Sach Khand.

We may do any other things, but if we have not done the bhakti described and glorified in the Granth Sahib, we shall achieve nothing, and go empty handed.

As the bani says: Bin Naavay, nahee kou thau. Without Nam bhakti, you have no place to lean on, and we all know, if we are in the ocean(creation), and we have nothing to lean on as support, we shall simply get drowned .... no rituals, no cereminies, fastings or pilgrimages are needed ....just one pointed devotion for Akal Purukh, at His Lotus Feet.

Our aim is to become one with Wahiguru, and the Bani beautifully says, do only one thing, which is: Jin Har Jaapiya, se Har hoeeya. Means, do the jaap of the Lord Har, and then only, you shall merge in Him, and become one with Him

Amazing, in its beauty and depth, In just a line of 6 words, Guru Sahiban reveals us the secret of becoming one with our true Father, Wahiguru Akal Purukh.


May God bless you

Brother,
just see the image below, about the supreme importance of a Guru,  of the level of Guru Sahiban, or the Bhagat Jan mentioned in the Gurbani, who while being at our human level in the gross creation, are very much one with that One, namely Waheguru Akal Purukh.
Their physical body is just a covering, a means, to awaken us to that awareness of their true essence or nature, which is of  them being Shabad Guru.
Neither the physical body is the disciple or sikh, nor the physical body of Guru Sahiban is their real form, for both will one day have to leave their outer coverings. 
True spiritual form never changes, nor diminishes nor grows, neitehr passes away, the bodies are just a consequence made out of the 5 perishable tattwas, so you see the bodies as we tend to believe generally, are not the true nature or essence for they perish away in due time.
It is the soul which is the true disciple, and it is the Shabad Guru who is the True Guru within, where He protects and guides the soul with His finer qualities such as Jot, Dhun, kirpa and  pyaar, finally to the realm of highest and eternal Truth/Satnam, in Sach Khand.
 

 
Gurbani is nothing, but a sweet song of  the beant wadeeayee of Guru Jee and Waheguru Akal Purukh.
Stay blessed.
SSA.

a) You are most welcome. 
b) Everything is possible by His grace alone, without grace absolutely nothing happens, that is also His Hukum, for we are already weak and low with the addition of the heavy load of the karmas being collected and created, since we stepped into the mayavee creation, though we are not aware of this very heavy load, just because we do not see nor perceive the subtle planes, we are more oriented outwards than in going within and see the reality and facts of the subtle and spiritual realms.
c) About the question which arises in your mind when reading Gurbani, it clearly refers to His manifestaions at our human level, like Guru Sahiban, Bhagat Jan, Sant Jan, who come only to awaken us to the awareness of that primal and eternal changless Truth of Sat-Nam, which we also call it Shabad, Anhad Bani, Sachee Bani, Waheguru, or commonly God, or the Word in chiristianism,  and though there are countless such names, but all these refer to that Highest level of consciousness, or that Creative Power, which has created all that exists, whether seen or unseen by us, creations upon creations .... which are as just infinite, such is His greatness....beyond any words, beyond any imagination, which even the gods and devtays(spiritual entities) know anything about Him.
And they awaken us to that awareness, for the only purpose of our reunificatio with Him, but alas such a pity,almost nobody pays attention to what they tell us to do through the Bani. 
This very same universal message is now being carried forward by Sree Guru Granth Sahib Jee for the present and future genertions of mankind, irrespective of creed, caste and genders .
Yet in spite of that we prefer to do many other things taking them to be equivalent or substitutes, but nevertheless it is so.
It is like let us say, for example we have a recipe book ... it does not matter how many hours and times one keeps reading the recipe... the hunger will not go away, unless one gets those ingredients and cook them as instructed.
I was just thinking how to answer you, but thankfully got in mind the following Shabad from Guru Jee, where He clearly at least from my point of view, answers, not only the question you asked above, but much much more, where doubts just get melted away, for it is not any man made wisdom, but direct instruction from He Himself in the human form of Guru Sahiban.
 
Please go through it slowly an carefully, for it contains the amazing revelations of pure spirituality, try to sip and savour each and every shabad in the following verses, which are full of Amrit:
 
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Sireeraag Mehalaa 5 ||
Siree Raag, Fifth Mehl:
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ (ਮਃ ੫) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਗ ੪੪
ਸਭੇ ਥੋਕ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜੇ ਆਵੈ ਇਕੁ ਹਥਿ ॥
Sabhae Thhok Paraapathae Jae Aavai Eik Hathh ||
All things are received if the One is obtained.
 

ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਸਚਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਥਿ ॥
Janam Padhaarathh Safal Hai Jae Sachaa Sabadh Kathh ||
The precious gift of this human life becomes fruitful when one chants the True Word of the Shabad.
 

ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਥਿ ॥੧॥
Gur Thae Mehal Paraapathae Jis Likhiaa Hovai Mathh ||1||
One who has such destiny written on his forehead enters the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, through the Guru. ||1||
 

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
Maerae Man Eaekas Sio Chith Laae ||
O my mind, focus your consciousness on the One.
 

ਏਕਸ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭ ਧੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Eaekas Bin Sabh Dhhandhh Hai Sabh Mithhiaa Mohu Maae ||1|| Rehaao ||
Without the One, all entanglements are worthless; emotional attachment to Maya is totally false. ||1||Pause||
 

ਲਖ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀਆ ਜੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
Lakh Khuseeaa Paathisaaheeaa Jae Sathigur Nadhar Karaee ||
Hundreds of thousands of princely pleasures are enjoyed, if the True Guru bestows His Glance of Grace.
 

ਨਿਮਖ ਏਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
Nimakh Eaek Har Naam Dhaee Maeraa Man Than Seethal Hoe ||
If He bestows the Name of the Lord, for even a moment, my mind and body are cooled and soothed.
 

ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਚਰਨ ਗਹੇ ॥੨॥
Jis Ko Poorab Likhiaa Thin Sathigur Charan Gehae ||2||
Those who have such pre-ordained destiny hold tight to the Feet of the True Guru. ||2||
 

ਸਫਲ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਸਫਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
Safal Moorath Safalaa Gharree Jith Sachae Naal Piaar ||
Fruitful is that moment, and fruitful is that time, when one is in love with the True Lord.
 

ਦੂਖੁ ਸੰਤਾਪੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥
Dhookh Santhaap N Lagee Jis Har Kaa Naam Adhhaar ||
Suffering and sorrow do not touch those who have the Support of the Name of the Lord.
 

ਬਾਹ ਪਕੜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਕਾਢਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਉਤਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੩॥
Baah Pakarr Gur Kaadtiaa Soee Outhariaa Paar ||3||
Grasping him by the arm, the Guru lifts them up and out, and carries them across to the other side. ||3||
 

ਢੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਨੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਲਭਾ ॥
Dtoee This Hee No Milai Jin Pooraa Guroo Labhaa ||
He alone finds shelter, who has met the Perfect Guru.
 

ਥਾਨੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਥੈ ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ ॥
Thhaan Suhaavaa Pavith Hai Jithhai Santh Sabhaa ||
Embellished and immaculate is that place where the Saints gather together.
 

ਨਾਨਕ ਬਧਾ ਘਰੁ ਤਹਾਂ ਜਿਥੈ ਮਿਰਤੁ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਰਾ ॥੪॥੬॥੭੬॥
Naanak Badhhaa Ghar Thehaan Jithhai Mirath N Janam Jaraa ||4||6||76||
Nanak builds his house upon that site where there is no death, no birth, and no old age. ||4||6||76||
 
 

 
*Just a humble request: please go through ths particular shabad  as many times as needed, try to see the depth in these verses fom different angles,  until  you get nearest to what Guru Jee is trying to convey us in them.
Try to digest the pure wisdom and Truth in them, then, if still you have any questions, you are most welcome, myself or any membr of this respectable forum will surely try and answer you.
Stay blessed.
SSA.

Sant Attar Singh Ji Mastuana Wale -Apne Sewak nu Karamaat karn ton Rokna- Sant Inderjit Singh Raqbe
 

Sant Attar Singh Ji Mastuana Wale -Apne Sewak nu Karamaat karn ton Rokna- Sant I.mp4

Thank you for that in depth reply to my question. I agree with you to a large extent that Sikhi does place a lot of emphasis on the grace of God, although I have come across some schools of modified non-dualism that emphasize this a lot, as well. One question that arises a lot when I read Gurbani is who is the Guru that the Gurus are referencing... I take it to be Waheguru, or God, or whatever name one wants to place on the supreme being, am I correct in that understanding? 

For everyone interested if you can understand Punjabi, please watch this
some audio issues but this is truly the best!
 
Now I know how to leave body, I had incorrect understanding/assumption. I haven't left so far but I'll keep practicing daily now.
Step 1. comfortable position, start Waheguru simran, saas giraas(as described in this video as well), aim significantly reduce the thoughts to reach chautha padh(turiya), call out Waheguru with certain belief that he is right there, with you, even all is Waheguru, call out with love and some bairag(yearning, craving)
         2. If you can hear anhad shabad then start listening to it and full concentration, still hearing Waheguru with breath or in anhad shabad itself, if you can't hear anhad shabad go back to step 1, read more Gurbani, it will start eventually.
         3. After hearing anhad shabad for some time now, with actual concentration(reducing thoughts even further and settling down in sehad ghar, forehead, house of mind), there you may get amrit as needed, the anhad shabad should keep increasing in sound with more successful concentration and lack of thoughts(you have separated from wind, thoughts and if a thought or 2 comes its easier to let go and stay in the chautha padh)
         4. This is what was missing for me, your Waheguru should be going on inside now, so light, so subtle, body is very relaxed now, almost about to sleep, anhad shabad is quite loud, this is Naam, your aim is to take your concentration to like the sound, this is the marriage that Gurbani talks about, of Concentration(surti) with Dhun(sounds). Power of Naam is so much it is supposed to take you in(like entering sleep but you are barely awake, a bit of shock happens like electric shock). Now you have successfully left the body, it is not like astral projection, it is concentration entering sound world, marriage of mind's concentration to the anhad shabads(Waheguru's voice i.e Naam).
The other side is a game of Concentration and sounds. I shall update as my own experience reaches closer, I'm working on the Step 4, electric shock info came from my father who was able to do the last part once. But do watch the video all is step by step explained.

Welcome PhunkeyPhish.
a) I would say, many paths have a similar start, but is only the farthest reach which counts. 
For example one goes to a shopping mall, and just imagine, on the first floor only silver is found, on the second floor only gold is found, and on the third floor there are only diamonds, but to reach each floor one has to take an escalator or go by stairs, which is common to start with for going any of the three floors. It all depends what one is looking for, and if one is to pay the price of it
In a similar way, many paths may seem fine and similar, but is by great good fortune(kirpa), one reaches the highest goal.
 
b) As for what I have seen in the teachings of Bhagat Jan, Guru Sahiban and Gurmukhs, the main and essential difference between sikhee and other paths, is that in Sikhee, all and everything revolves around the Guru, without whom, nothing can be acheived.
Then also, there is no need of variety of different spiritual entities which do exist, and for us as sikhs they are very much respected, but not at all sought, for our goal and destiny is only:  Ik Oankar Satnam.
That is it.
For example, in Gurbani it says: 
Bin Satgur kinnay na paayo, bin Satgur kinnay paaya.
This means, without Satguru nobody ever obtained anything(Waheguru Akal Purukh), and without the Satguru nobody ever obtained Him(Waheguru Akal Purukh).
Sikhee means, a path of discipleship, so naturally if there is  disciple, there has to be a Guru, otherwise it is not sikhee, it can be anything but not sikhee as per teachings in the Gurbani.
In other paths howsoever respectable, everything depends on one´s efforts or actions, in Sikhee, one has to surrender oneself to the Guru and depend alone on His grace, for the inner ptah is so narrow and dark, that in reference to that Guru, the second Patshahee Sree Guru Angad Dev Maharaj says: 
ਜੇ ਸਉ ਚੰਦਾ ਉਗਵਹਿ ਸੂਰਜ ਚੜਹਿ ਹਜਾਰ ॥
Jae So Chandhaa Ougavehi Sooraj Charrehi Hajaar ||
If a hundred moons were to rise, and a thousand suns appeared,
 
ਏਤੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਹੋਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਘੋਰ ਅੰਧਾਰ ॥੨॥
Eaethae Chaanan Hodhiaaan Gur Bin Ghor Andhhaar ||2||
Even with such light, there would still be pitch darkness without the Guru. ||2||
He says, that if 100 moons were to arise and shine in he skies, and in addition there were 1000 suns also, yet inspite of that refulgence and brightness, there would be still utter darkness.
 
*Moreover Guru Nanak also emphasizes on the supreme importance and the need of such a Guru, as seen in the following 2 verses.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰੂ ਨ ਚੇਤਨੀ ਮਨਿ ਆਪਣੈ ਸੁਚੇਤ ॥
Naanak Guroo N Chaethanee Man Aapanai Suchaeth ||
O Nanak, those who do not think of the Guru, and who think of themselves as clever,
 
ਛੁਟੇ ਤਿਲ ਬੂਆੜ ਜਿਉ ਸੁੰਞੇ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਖੇਤ ॥
Shhuttae Thil Booaarr Jio Sunnjae Andhar Khaeth ||
Shall be left abandoned in the field, like the scattered sesame
 
So you see, it is only by being in the company of Satguru, or call it Shabad Guru, can one reach that abode of eternity and changless Truth of Satnam.
At other place the Bani tells us: Nanak,  Naam  jahaaz hae, jinee cahreeya se utareeya paar.
With this it is telling us, o Nanak, the Nam is the vessel or aircraft, in which whosoever boards on is carried across.
This Naam refered in the Bani is the Shabad Guru also, for by holding on to the pallav of  this Guru, one is ferried across, it does not matter how many thousand other practices one may incurr into, but if one has not got hold of Naam, one is left behind in the painful cycle of births and deaths.
If one goes through the Gurbani with attention, it shows nothing but instructions to love and follow diligently and faithfully the teachings of Guru Sahiban.
Just to summarize in a way Sikhee, it could well be:
Jin Har japeeya se Har hoeeya.
He/She whosoever repeated His holy Name and manifested it within, becomes one with Him without any distinction.
I would suggest you to go to the depths of the utterly sweet and beautiful, uncomparable and unfathoamble Gurbani, and by His grace reach the highest goal.
Stay blessed.
Sat Sree Akal.

Being Born Female Is Karmic Punishment?
No, it is not and it can never be a punishment.  
 
As long as spirituality is concerned in the eyes of Guru Jee, it is purity and love for Waheguru alone which counts.
Let us see what does Guru Jee tells us in this respect:
 
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇਨਿ ਸਚੁ ॥
Naanak Sach Dhhiaaein Sach ||
O Nanak, true are those who meditate on the True One.
 
ਜੋ ਮਰਿ ਜੰਮੇ ਸੁ ਕਚੁ ਨਿਕਚੁ ॥੧॥
Jo Mar Janmae S Kach Nikach ||1||
Those who are subject to birth and death are totally false. 
 
Guru Jee does not make distinctions on the containers/shapes, sizes nor colors, for it is the contents( soul purity) that counts in His eyes.
 
SSA.

How can we learn to concentrate better?
Though this is quite an old thread, yet it deals with something which is very much affecting to most of us.
There are several threads, posts on this forum dealing with this question, yet I would like to add my 2 cents: 
First of all no rush, for good concentration is a stage, an advanced avastha. 
Just as a good runner, had to first learn to stand on  his/her own feet, then stumbled while learning to walk, fell down and got up umpteen times, then with practice and patience, became a good runner.
Similarly, in meditation, concentration, some points are needed to be kept in mind, for those who pretend to walk on the narrow path of spirituality.
Purity in thoughts is required, then no toxicants such as tobacco, drugs or alcohol;  satwic food is required.
To concentrate better, we have to keep an eye on our mind, our thoughts.
This can only be done, by slowly become mindless.
So naturally, the question arises, how can we become mindless?
To that, the answer is His simran, His kirpa, His bakshish. 
His holy Name, is the only antidote to subdue and literally knock out the mind, once the mind is defeated,  it is only highway with no traffic (mind, thoughts) at all to His darbar, then our speed is like a bullet shot from a gun.
While repeating His holy Name, we should be absorbed so much in it, that only that exists for us, for it is only that what we see and hear within.
But to start with, we have to struggle and trust Him at all times without loosing courage nor faith, for the mind has been misguiding us since we step into the mayavee creation, and is not willing to loose control over our surtees.
The mind only derives power from the soul consciousness by dragging it into maya; once with the aid of Gurbani, one becomes aware of the Truth of His Name, then all our actions will go into that direction where we can for sure go and meet our beloved Sachay Patshaah Waheguru Akal Purukh, but  by first becoming mindless with concentration or better said, in succeeding in killing the mind.
SSA.
 

SSA Lucky Jee,
no worries for anything at all, you are always welcome to share your views just as anybody else.
You see, one can never ever force one´s views on anybody, for after all everbody has his/her own personal consciouss level, thus howsoever hard one may try, the other person will simply reject.
So no need for hard words, but as this an public forum, one should be careful with what one says, as many may get to beileve what they may see or read at a particular time which maybe  absolutely imperfect or incomplete.
That is why if I see something like that, I try to give my 2 cents, which maybe not acceptable to that OP in his/her thread, but for all those who may read or come across at any time.
I just give my opinion where I think fit  just as anybody else can do so and leave it, without any expectations, or something personal to convince anybody, for from my personal experience I can assure that nobody can ever make anybody understand something, if that person is not at that consciouss level at that time, maybe after some time ...maybe, who knows?  
SSA.

First of all, all deeds are actions, and any action is karma, which may be good or bad, and as such kamas are like seeds sown for which we have to come when they are reap, some may have planted mangoes, so they come to collect mangoes(good karmas = healthy, happy life), others may have planted "mirchi" , so they have to come and collect or eat their own sown seeds of pain and misery, so karmas or deeds are definetely not truthful living...
To view truthful living in the perspective of Gurmat, we have to understand and keep in mind what that Truth is.
The Truth mentioned in Gurbani is the Supreme creator Waheguru Akal Purukh Himself, to which Gurbani is referred as aad Sach, jugaad Sach, hae bhee Sach, Nanak hosee bhee Sach.
So Sach is Nam, which is not a particular word in a particular language, or an exclusivity of any dharam , mazab, or country in time and space. 
Rather Nam or Shabad is a creative consciouss power or energy, all pervasive
So truthful living naturally, has to do something with what we engage in by trying to manifest that Truth/Sach within us. 
And that definetely truthful living is His simran or Nam bhakti, so naturally we come to a logic concluson, that the devotion or meditation of Nam simran is in essence the truthful living, as it leads us to that ultimate Truth of Nam or Shabad.
In this respect the Bani tells us:
Awar kaaj tere kitay na kaam mil Sadh sangat bhaj kewal Naam.
No other deeds are of any avail, so keep the company of the Holy, and do only the jaap of Naam.
The Bani does not say to rely on good deeds/karmas, in order to realize Him, for as seen above good karmas are chains which keep us also prisoners in the mayavee creation, for we have to come and collect the fruits of those good deeds or karmas sown by us.
The Bani says: 
Aapay bheejeh aapay khaae
You eat your own sown karmas.
At other place regarding deeds, good or bad, the Bani tells us: 
ਕਰਮੀ ਆਵੈ ਕਪੜਾ ਨਦਰੀ ਮੋਖੁ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥
Karamee Aavai Kaparraa Nadharee Mokh Dhuaar ||
By the karma of past actions, the robe of this physical body is obtained. By His Grace, the Gate of Liberation is found.
So you see, with deeds  whether good or bad, we obtain different bodies in the wheel of 84 according to our merits, but definetely not the Truth of Nam, which is obtained by His grace.
And to add a bit, no one can do His simran by himself or herself, for as the Bani says:  Se simrae jis Aap simrae. 
Which means, only that being meditates on His Nam, to whom He wants, so you see Pen Jee, it is not in anybody´s hands to do His simran.
That is why, most people have aversion to Nam japnaa, they prefer to do and are ready to do any other things or activities above His Nam simran as seen in the Bani,  in almost each ang of it.
Many have the concept that Nam simran is doing a mantra simran or meditation, which is not correct at all.
His Simran is the jugtee which will reveal or manifest the Satnam, Nam or Shabad as the ultimate Truth within us
 
His simran is the actionless action, thus truly the truthful living, for by engaging in it, we are on the path which will only lead us to that Truth / Sach since the very beginning or in the eternity.
Truthful living can also be seen as His Simran, for as the Bani says:
Jin Har japeeya se Har hoeeya. 
This means, whosoever does His simran, becomes one with Him.
The Bani does not say do good deeds in order to manifest that Truth within yourself, rather emphasizes again and again on His simran, if only our purpose is of merging ourselves in Him.
Good deeds or moral living are necessary only to the extent of keeping our vessels (mind) clean, for when the ocassion arises the Amrit of Nam can be poured into our very inner  being.
Good deeds is only keeping the vessel clean, which by all means is empty by itself. 
Good deeds is not Nam, is not Amrit.
Amrit is poured into us by His grace, but for that our vessels have to be clean.
 
So the next question could very well be: how can that Amrit of Nam be obtained?
Guru Jee tells us the correct answer in a simple manner: 
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
Anmrith Vaelaa Sach Naao Vaddiaaee Veechaar ||
In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness.
Bhagat Jan, Gurmukhs, Guru Sahiban.... all of these come at our level from that realm of Ultimate Truth, where nothing else exists but He himself alone.
And they come for the only purpose of awakening  us to that reality of Truth/Sach/Nam, by singing His praises; to which we are unaware due to our deep rooted agyanta and manmat.
 
In relation to whatsoever has been mentioned in this post, I would like to end with some beautiful verses from the Bani of Panchvee Patshahee:
 
ਅਬ ਕਲੂ ਆਇਓ ਰੇ    
Ab Kaloo Aaeiou Rae   
Now, the Dark Age of Kali Yuga has come.  
ਇਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਬੋਵਹੁ ਬੋਵਹੁ
Eik Naam Bovahu Bovahu ||
Plant the Naam, the Name of the One Lord.
ਅਨ ਰੂਤਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
An Rooth Naahee Naahee ||
It is not the season to plant other seeds (good deeds/karmas, poojas, pilgrimages, fasting, torturing oneself, idol worship, keeping quiet, etc . 
ਮਤੁ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭੂਲਹੁ ॥
Math Bharam Bhoolahu Bhoolahu ||
Do not wander lost in doubt and delusion.
 
ਮਨ ਰੁਤਿ ਨਾਮ ਰੇ ॥
Man Ruth Naam Rae ||
O mortal, this is the season of the Naam.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਨਹ ਲਾਗੈ ਪੀਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Guramukh Naam Japahu Dhin Raathee Anth Kaal Neh Laagai Peer ||1|| Rehaao ||
As Gurmukh, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord, day and night. At the very last moment, you shall not have to suffer in pain.
 
Then as a consequence of this truthful practice, following is the result which takes place:
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਖੇਲੈ ਸੋ ਜਿਣਿ ਬਾਜੀ ਘਰਿ ਆਇਆ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੯॥
Jan Naanak Guramukh Jo Nar Khaelai So Jin Baajee Ghar Aaeiaa ||4||1||19||
O servant Nanak, that person who plays this game as Gurmukh, wins the game of life, and returns to his true home (Sach Khand). 
 
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਸੁਖਿ ਰਜਾ ਜਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਇਆ ॥
Guramathee Naam Dhhiaaeeai Sukh Rajaa Jaa Thudhh Bhaaeiaa ||
Those who follow the Guru's Teachings meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Filled with a joyful peace, they surrender to Your Will.
 
So you see Pen Jee, Guru Jee in each Ang, stresses upon Nam, and its japnaa or simran, to cleanse us from all our karmas/deeds whether good or bad, and at the same time to manifest or reveal that Aad Truth/Sach of Nam, within us, not otherwsie.
Sat Sree Akal.
 

Sorry, but good deeds are karam. And as such, karamas are binding, are seeds which will definetely bring us back into the wheel of 84.
While Nam is purifying and liberation from the darkness of agyanta, and taking the jeev atma to the Jot of Sach, the realm of everlasting and changeless Truth.
Good deeds are lifeless, are unconsciouss tools in the hands of the consciouss beings. Or let us say, deeds good or bad are chains on the jeev atma which make them remain prisoners in the mayavee creation. So you see, good deeds can never be Truth or Nam the consciouss life force, as per Gurbani
Good deeds are necessary to live a moral life and be fit for walking on the path of spirituality, that´s it, nothing more. Of course, lack of morality can never allow anyone to lead a spiritual life.
With karmas wheter good or bad, one has to come back again and again into the mayavee painful creation, while being meditative on Nam, one gets freedom from all bonds, karmas, vices, sins and all that may stand between us and Him.
We have human janam, so that we may realize Him in His true form of Nam/Shabad.
In this respect, Gurbani can never had been so clear, for as seen in the following verses.: 
bha-ee paraapat maanukh dayhuree-aa.
This human body has been given to you.
goibMd imlx kI ieh qyrI brIAw ]
gobind milan kee ih tayree baree-aa.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe
mil saaDhsangat bhaj kayval naam. ||1||
Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam
saraNjaam laag bhavjal taran kai.
Make every effort to cross over this terrifying world-ocean.
janam baritha jaat rang maa-i-aa kai. ||1|| rahaa-o.
You are squandering this life uselessly in the love of Maya. 
 
So please do not take truthful living as Truth as many believe. 
Truthful living is living with and in morality, which after are all are karmas. This morality is absolutely needed if of course we aim to become perfect spiritual beings, but by itself is not enough for our union with Him.
For that, we need His kirpa and His Nam.  That is why the Bani says: Nanak Naam jahaaz hae, jinee chareeya se utareeya paar. So you see, it is Nam which takes us across the maha bhavsagar, while moral or immoral living, are like iron chains or golden chains on us, means binding us and keeping us prisoners in this mayavee creation.
Doing His Simran, is not foolish at all, it is wise for it is the only thing that purifies us, liberates us and takes us back to Him.
It would be foolish to believe the contrary.
How could it be foolish, if you are given a ticket to go to a safe place for a disaster(parlay) is soon going to take place and you make use of it?
The ticket here means the human birth, to board on the jahaaz of Nam and go the safest place: Sach Khand.
Do not worry for doing the whole day Nam simran, which would be the ideal, for it means to live a Truthful life, for while doing so, one is absorbed in that Highest and only existing Truth. 
In that respect Guru Jee says: mere preetama hau jeeva Nam dhiaeeyeh. 
So you see, while they appear to be like us ordinary beings, yet in their innermost minds they are totally absorbed in Nam, nay, I would even go a step further and say they are Nam personified..
We moorakhs can never ever understand their reality, we see and judge them from our pettiness, fully absorbed in agyanta.
Nam is not a word in any particular language written or spoken 
Not a mantra. 
Nam is Sat Shabad, is akhoot Jot,  is pure consciosness, is Waheguru Himself,  the Infinite universal creator  of everything seen or unseen, at all levels.
 

Bro,
As you are asking for views, well my idea is that it should be kept somewhere aside, for Guru Jee's charan are only for matha tek.
Monetary issues should be kept aside and as discreet as much as possible. 
Some view it is an offering to Guru Jee, well the petty cash box could very well be Guru Jee's small bank, so to say,  where monetary sewa can be deposited.
Every thing has a place, everything offered at Guru ghar/Gurdwara, should be placed accordingly where it should be in a natural way. 
Whatever  and wherever we offer to Guru Jee,  it is well known to Him, as He is everywhere.
It is not that if placed nearby to Him, will be more noticed by Him, than if we deposit it in the petty cash box.
It is we who are limited, thus have a limited view of Guru Jee.
He is omnipresent and omniscient, it is purity in mind and the correct attitude which He appreciates, it matters not to Him, if they are 2 cents, 2 bucks or 2000... It is our love and sincerity what should be reflected in our sewa, in our daily lives, in our interaction with our fellow beings,  for it is in the chambers of the hearts of all, where He truly resides.
SSA.
 

Bro,
As you are asking for views, well my idea is that it should be kept somewhere aside, for Guru Jee's charan are only for matha tek.
Monetary issues should be kept aside and as discreet as much as possible. 
Some view it is an offering to Guru Jee, well the petty cash box could very well be Guru Jee's small bank, so to say,  where monetary sewa can be deposited.
Every thing has a place, everything offered at Guru ghar/Gurdwara, should be placed accordingly where it should be in a natural way. 
Whatever  and wherever we offer to Guru Jee,  it is well known to Him, as He is everywhere.
It is not that if placed nearby to Him, will be more noticed by Him, than if we deposit it in the petty cash box.
It is we who are limited, thus have a limited view of Guru Jee.
He is omnipresent and omniscient, it is purity in mind and the correct attitude which He appreciates, it matters not to Him, if they are 2 cents, 2 bucks or 2000... It is our love and sincerity what should be reflected in our sewa, in our daily lives, in our interaction with our fellow beings,  for it is in the chambers of the hearts of all, where He truly resides.
SSA.
 

Bro,
As you are asking for views, well my idea is that it should be kept somewhere aside, for Guru Jee's charan are only for matha tek.
Monetary issues should be kept aside and as discreet as much as possible. 
Some view it is an offering to Guru Jee, well the petty cash box could very well be Guru Jee's small bank, so to say,  where monetary sewa can be deposited.
Every thing has a place, everything offered at Guru ghar/Gurdwara, should be placed accordingly where it should be in a natural way. 
Whatever  and wherever we offer to Guru Jee,  it is well known to Him, as He is everywhere.
It is not that if placed nearby to Him, will be more noticed by Him, than if we deposit it in the petty cash box.
It is we who are limited, thus have a limited view of Guru Jee.
He is omnipresent and omniscient, it is purity in mind and the correct attitude which He appreciates, it matters not to Him, if they are 2 cents, 2 bucks or 2000... It is our love and sincerity what should be reflected in our sewa, in our daily lives, in our interaction with our fellow beings,  for it is in the chambers of the hearts of all, where He truly resides.
SSA.
 

This is a difficult kinda issue.  As ragnarok says it's an offering to guru sahib at his charan, which is what it's  "supposed" to be. We matha tek and put our foreheads at the these very charan.  However, I also understand that the golak is seen as a vault of cash that leads to many administrative issues within guru ghar.  The behavior of  manooks in maya makes them forget where they are and what they should really be doing with the funds.
Because of these such issues, i can imagine that some of us may see the golak in a negative light.  
is there a solution?
Yes, I think there could be, though we need to educate ourselves on what seva is really supposed to be.  Majority of Guru ghars in the west have paid sevadaar, granthies and other staff. They are on payroll and guru's darbar is like a business model where management aim to pay necessary costs and wages whilst at same time profiting the remainders.  Now, the main point that i want to make is that those on payroll often forget they are doing kamayee of Karams and not seva as they may make themselves believe.
 In simple words, if one goes around doing ustat of waheguru and helping in the practical running of guru ghar, then they are doing pure seva. (no cash in return) But if someone is doing these things whilst getting some cash in return, then they are making and fulfilling new karams.  It doesn't get the same kamayee as pure selfless seva.  I'm sure most members on here will understand this.    Bearing this in mind, I have only heard of ONE gurudwara in South Shields UK (North east England)  that operates in this manner.   This Gurudwara  does NOT have a golak from what I last heard and has no sevadaars or employees on payroll.  
Gurdwara Khalsa mero roop hai  kaas - South Shields UK
https://gkmrhk.co.uk/
https://www.sikh24.com/2015/01/24/uk-gurdwara-runs-entirely-on-seva/
 
Now, that I've made my point about seva and karams, I'd say that it would be ideal to place the golak to the side as per below post by @harsharan000 The golak is needed because many of us would feel incomplete without doing a charaavha.  
 

Verily true, well said.
Not only nirbhau and nirvair qualities of Waheguru can not  be perceived until one reaches that higher avastha, but also any of the other qulaities such as omnipresence, omnipotence or omniscience among others.
For though He is everything and everywhere, yet is of no use to us, for we have not realized or mnaifested Him within us.
Just as we know butter is in the milk and comes by churning it, yet we can not say as the butter is in the milk so I will have it applied it on the toast.
Radio waves/frecuencies  are present everywhere, yet if we do not have a tv receiver or a radio receiver, we can not listen the news or see the tv.
In a similar way, the Lord Waheguru is present everywhere, yet in spite of this fact, the evil doers incurr in their bad karam without shame. Neither does He do anything to stop not only this aspect, but as well as other happenings, for that purpose He made the law of Karam.
It is only when with bhakti we establish Him within our minds by His grace, it is then when He is our rakhanhaar, our protector, our benefactor, for we have given ourself to Him unconditionally.
So let us not say as seen and said by someone, that because He is everything and everywhere, all is good.
Nope, that is not correct, it is cheating ourselves and others with fragile mind.
Glad for you pen jee, you brought this positive point forward.
SSA.

Good post Bro.
He is everywhere and everything, this is fine and there is no doubt about it, but at our present level we have not that avastha to say it convincingly. We are talking more like conceptuals than what it really is about.
And the fact is, He has created dualities, pair of opposites,  diversity, multiplicity, gyan agyan, truth-untruth, birth - death and so on .
And He wants us to discern and come out from all this paraphernalia, with the practical aid of Gurbani, and realize Him, not otherwise.
As I said in my post above, we all  know butter comes out from milk, but unless we apply a jugtee and bring out the butter from that milk, it would not be wise to say as butter is inthe milk, I will apply it on the toast and have, then this will only show our pettiness, for the slice bread will be drenched with milk, not butter for sure.
Or  as you said, He is everywhere and as He is good, so if I meet a tiger in the jungle, nothing will happen to me...what rubbish....looooollllll, that foolish person will be for sure a happy meal for the tiger... 😆😆😆😆😆
Please let us take care of what we say or express, and not just pour out our wild neurotical fancies, for with that attitude people can be drawn farther away from the Truth of Gurbani, except for a few who couragesly and politely see contacdictions and ask for clarifications.
Though, if the person by itself is confused and yet believes to be right, hardly can it add any clarity or light to the matter in question.
For god´s sake, He has given us some sense, let us make use of it, a bit though  if not much.
 

Nothing so great about it Pen Jee, it was that much valuable for me. I mean, the post was simple yet meaningful, with kindness, and humility.
Keep up good spirits